Dermal Fascial Restoration (DFR)
At Bodywork Remedies in Santa Rosa, CA, Dermal Fascial Restoration is used to help reduce pain, improve mobility, and restore how your body moves and feels.
What Is Dermal Fascial Restoration?
Dermal Fascial Restoration (DFR), founded by Dr. Paul Mettler, was developed as a way to address soft tissue damage using a precise technique to restore damaged tissue—particularly tissue that has formed dermal and fascial adhesions. It is a hands-on approach that works through the skin to access deeper layers of the fascial system.
DFR targets the skin with precise lifting and stretching to help free disorganized, entangled collagen fibers (scar tissue) and restore normal movement, function, and hydration of the skin (dermis) and the tissues below it. By restoring the skin’s mobility, nerve signaling, blood circulation, lymphatic flow, and overall movement can improve—helping reduce pain.
How DFR Is Different
DFR is very different from traditional massage.
Instead of:
Using compressive forces
Gliding over the skin
Working primarily on muscle tissue
DFR uses:
Targeted, precise lifting and stretching
Slower, more intentional movements or holding
This allows access to deeper restrictions without relying on aggressive force.
What DFR Can Help With
DFR is often helpful for:
Chronic pain that hasn’t responded to other treatments
Areas that feel “stuck” or resistant to change
TMJ
Surgical scar tissue causing tightness and limited range of motion
Scar tissue of c-section or hysterectomies
Scar tissue and tightness from hip and knee replacements
It can be especially useful when other approaches haven’t fully resolved the issue.
What It Feels Like
DFR is not a typical relaxing massage.
At times it can feel:
Intense
Often painful
Very specific
But it is:
Controlled
Intentional
Often followed by noticeable relief
Many clients feel a change in movement and tension even after one session.
While DFR can feel intense at times, the intensity is always controlled and adjusted based on your tolerance.
Why It Works
The fascial system is layered.
Restrictions in more superficial layers can influence deeper movement patterns and create tension throughout the body.
By working through the skin, DFR can:
access these layers directly
release restrictions
improve how force moves through the body
How DFR Fits Into My Approach
DFR is often combined with Fascia Stretch Therapy to create a more complete approach.
Together, these techniques:
improve mobility
reduce tension
address the root of movement restrictions
Learn more about how sessions work and what to expect
Is DFR Right for You?
If you’ve tried massage, stretching, or other treatments without lasting results, DFR may be a good fit.
Book a session to start addressing the root of the issue