| Myofascial Release is a therapy aimed at releasing | | | | The theory is that the restrictions are too strong |
| restrictions in the fascia. Fascia is the connective | | | | to be broken up completely with the deep tissue |
| tissue that surrounds the muscles and muscle | | | | work and need this prolonged stretch to fully |
| fibers. It is both superficial, running just below the | | | | change the fascia. One of the primary developers |
| skin, surrounding the entire muscle, as well as | | | | of this technique is physical therapist John Barnes, |
| deep, surrounding each individual muscle fiber. | | | | who has been working with this technique for |
| It is made up of three components, which give it | | | | more than 30 years. |
| a combination of elasticity and strength, as well as | | | | I have used this technique with people in clinical |
| shock absorption. It helps support the muscles, as | | | | settings and have used it elsewhere with good |
| well as serving as a conduit for the nerves and | | | | results. Using it with those suffering headaches, I |
| blood vessels. Meaning, the nerves and blood | | | | have had very good success. As most headaches |
| vessels are located within this connective tissue. | | | | are a result of too much tension in the neck and |
| As a result of injury, trauma, poor posture, and | | | | shoulders, using it after massage to relax the |
| inflammation, the fascia can become bound up, | | | | muscles, usually gets the job done. |
| placing too much pressure on the muscles, bones, | | | | For those currently suffering a major headache, |
| nerves, and blood vessels. Pressure which can | | | | such as an 8 or 9 on a 1-10 pain scale, it might |
| cause pain. Myofascial Release seeks to relieve | | | | not work. For most others, the headache is gone |
| this pain or tension by releasing restrictions in the | | | | or significantly reduced within 5-10 minutes. It also |
| fascia. | | | | works on other areas of the body. |
| Because the fascia is 3-dimensional, located all | | | | Used by some physical therapists and massage |
| throughout the body, a restriction in one area | | | | therapists, it also works well with a chiropractic |
| could cause a problem in another area. If one area | | | | adjustment. At one chiropractic clinic I worked at, |
| of the body is restricted in its movement, then | | | | I worked with a man whose neck was turned to |
| the muscles above or below that point, or on the | | | | one side and very stiff, with some uncontrolled |
| other side may take up the slack - working | | | | shaking. He went to one regional hospital and a |
| harder than they were meant to. | | | | nationally known clinic, who both tried different |
| I have worked on more than one person with | | | | things with little result. |
| one-sided hip or back pain that had as much or | | | | The first time I worked on him, his neck felt like |
| more tension on the other side. This is because | | | | a brick, without the soft tissue feel that a normal |
| the side that is now hurting has been | | | | person would have. By combining deep tissue |
| compensating for lack of movement on the other | | | | work with myofascial release and the |
| side. And over time the muscles that were | | | | adjustments, he gradually made changes with his |
| compensating became overused, creating | | | | neck. This took some time and further exercise |
| additional pain or dysfunction. | | | | to get him functioning better. Not perfect, but |
| The release takes form through a low-force, | | | | definitely better than before. |
| long-duration stretch. Very light pressure is used in | | | | So if you have a high pain tolerance and not much |
| combination with a stretch that lasts from 90 | | | | patience, you can try active release (ART) or go |
| seconds to about 3 minutes or more. The theory | | | | with myofascial release, which may take just a bit |
| is that this low-force, long-duration stretch will | | | | longer, but is also very effective. Myofascial |
| cause the restrictions to gradually unwind, | | | | release can be done with acute injuries (ones that |
| restoring this connective tissue to its normal | | | | have occured recently) as well as with the elderly, |
| length. | | | | by using less pressure. Active release is meant |
| So one of the advantages to this work is the lack | | | | for chronic injuries. |
| of pain involved. Deep tissue massage and ART | | | | It is not to be used with those with an aneurysm, |
| can be quite painful at times. With chronic injuries, | | | | acute rheumatoid arthritis, uncontrolled diabetes, |
| some form of deep tissue work is usually done | | | | open wounds, or broken bones. |
| prior to this stretch, to help break down | | | | It is meant to be used with exercise and other |
| adhesions in the elastic fibers and/or release | | | | forms of therapy for optimal results. A very nice |
| tension in the body's nervous system. | | | | complement is joint mobility training. |