Effects of Myofascial Release Therapy on Body Posture and Facial Symmetry

Body posture and fascial balance are closely associated with musculoskeletal health andbiomechanical alignment. Impairments in postural alignment may contribute to abnormalloading patterns, muscular imbalance, fascial tension, and compensatory movementstrategies throughout the body. Recent fascial theories suggest that fascial continuitymay influence not only spinal and extremity alignment but also craniofacial structuresand facial symmetry. Increased fascial tension, particularly in the cervical and thoracicregions, may alter soft tissue mechanics and contribute to asymmetrical facialappearance.Myofascial release therapy is a manual therapy approach commonly used in physiotherapy toimprove fascial mobility, decrease tissue restriction, reduce pain, and optimize posturalalignment. Although previous studies have investigated the effects of myofascialinterventions on musculoskeletal pain and posture, limited evidence exists regardingtheir influence on facial symmetry and facial anthropometric characteristics.The present study is designed as a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effects ofmyofascial release therapy on body posture and facial symmetry in healthy individuals. Atotal of 60 participants will be recruited and randomly allocated into intervention andcontrol groups using a stratified randomization method based on dominant sidecharacteristics. The intervention group will receive myofascial release therapy twiceweekly for 6 weeks, whereas the control group will undergo only observation andassessment procedures during the same period.The myofascial intervention protocol will include standardized manual therapy techniquestargeting cervical, thoracic, shoulder, and fascial regions. The techniques will consistof single arm pull, lateral neck shoulder release, thoracic transverse plane technique,and anterior cervical fascial release applications performed by a trainedphysiotherapist.Body posture assessment will be performed using the validated PostureScreen Mobileapplication. Standardized anterior, posterior, and lateral photographs will be analyzedto evaluate postural alignment parameters including forward head posture, shoulderasymmetry, spinal alignment, pelvic tilt, thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, and lowerextremity alignment characteristics.Facial symmetry assessment will be conducted using standardized digital facialphotographs obtained under controlled environmental conditions. Anthropometric faciallandmarks including exocanthion, endocanthion, alare, cheilion, zygion, and gonion pointswill be identified. Linear, proportional, and angular measurements will be calculated todetermine facial asymmetry levels. Directional asymmetry scores will also be calculatedto quantitatively evaluate right‐left facial asymmetry.Primary outcome measures will include changes in facial directional asymmetry scores andpostural alignment parameters after the intervention period. Secondary analyses willinvestigate the relationship between postural characteristics, dominant side, physicalactivity habits, and facial symmetry variables.The findings of this study may contribute to understanding the biomechanical relationshipbetween fascial interventions, posture, and craniofacial symmetry. Additionally, theresults may provide preliminary evidence for the use of fascial‐based physiotherapyapproaches in postural rehabilitation and facial asymmetry management.