---
title: "Evidence: self-myofascial release"
description: "Self-myofascial release can acutely improve flexibility, reduce muscle soreness, and aid recovery, but its long-term effects on flexibility are unclear."
url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s172.md"
canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s172.html"
html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s172.html"
type: "study"
study_key: "s172"
journal: "J Bodyw Mov Ther"
year: 2015
pmid: "26592233"
doi: "10.1016/j.jbmt.2015.08.007"
citations: 1
updated: 2026-09-02
author: "Gabriel Radu, DO"
author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765."
publisher: "Magellan Longevity"
content_format: "markdown"
---

# Evidence: self-myofascial release

[Home](https://magellanlongevity.com/) › [Research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) › Evidence: self-myofascial release

**HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s172.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/study/s172

## Citation

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Journal | J Bodyw Mov Ther |
| Year | 2015 |
| PMID | [26592233](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26592233/) |
| DOI | [10.1016/j.jbmt.2015.08.007](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2015.08.007) |
| Study key | s172 |

## Takeaway

Self-myofascial release can acutely improve flexibility, reduce muscle soreness, and aid recovery, but its long-term effects on flexibility are unclear.

## The question

What are the acute and chronic clinical effects of self-myofascial release (SMFR)?

## Hypothesis

The study aimed to review existing literature to understand the effects of SMFR.

## Methods

PubMed and Google Scholar databases were searched in February 2015 for studies related to self-myofascial release.

## Results

Acutely, SMFR appears to increase flexibility, reduce muscle soreness, and does not hinder athletic performance. It may also acutely improve arterial function, vascular endothelial function, and increase parasympathetic nervous system activity. Long-term effects on flexibility show conflicting evidence.

## Conclusion

SMFR has a range of potentially valuable acute effects for athletes and the general population, including increased flexibility and enhanced recovery. Long-term effects on flexibility are not consistently supported by current evidence.

## Limitations

The review did not specify the number or type of studies included, nor did it detail the specific tools or protocols used in the SMFR studies reviewed. The search was limited to two databases and a specific timeframe.

## Verbatim from the abstract

> self-myofascial release has acute and chronic clinical effects on range of motion

## Where this study is used on Magellan

This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions.

| Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Self-Myofascial Foam Roller | Moderate evidence | [Self-Myofascial Foam Roller](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/172.md) |

## Reference

1. **Evidence: self-myofascial release**
   J Bodyw Mov Ther 2015 · [PMID 26592233](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26592233/) · [DOI 10.1016/j.jbmt.2015.08.007](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2015.08.007)

   > self-myofascial release has acute and chronic clinical effects on range of motion

## Structured data

```json
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"MedicalWebPage","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s172.html#page","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s172.html","name":"Evidence: self-myofascial release","description":"Self-myofascial release can acutely improve flexibility, reduce muscle soreness, and aid recovery, but its long-term effects on flexibility are unclear.","inLanguage":"en","isPartOf":{"@type":"WebSite","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Gabriel Radu, DO","jobTitle":"Physiatrist (PM&R)","identifier":[{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NPI","value":"1376861765"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NY medical license","value":"275110"}]},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"encoding":{"@type":"MediaObject","encodingFormat":"text/markdown","contentUrl":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s172.md"},"dateModified":"2026-09-02"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research map","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Evidence: self-myofascial release","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s172.html"}]},{"@type":"ScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s172.html#study","name":"Evidence: self-myofascial release","headline":"Evidence: self-myofascial release","datePublished":"2015","isPartOf":{"@type":"Periodical","name":"J Bodyw Mov Ther"},"identifier":"PMID:26592233","url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26592233/","sameAs":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2015.08.007","abstract":"Self-myofascial release can acutely improve flexibility, reduce muscle soreness, and aid recovery, but its long-term effects on flexibility are unclear."}]}
```

## Related on Magellan Longevity

- [Self-Myofascial Foam Roller](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/172.md) — product graded on this and related evidence
- [Acute Effects of Foam Rolling, Static Stretching, and Dynamic Stretching on Flexibility…](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d27736289.md)
- [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html)
- [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md)

## Scope and disclosures

Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication.

Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases.

Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).