MYOFASCIAL RELEASE

Definition*The word "myofascial" is derived from the Greek word "myo", which means "muscle," and the word fascial

* Myofascial release is the application of the gentle manual application of sustained pressure to release fascial restriction.

Fascia

Myofascial Restriction

*Fascia covers every muscle and every fiber within each muscle.

*When muscle fibers are injured, they heal by forming adhesions, the fibers and the fascia which surrounds it become short and tight.

*In scaring and adhesion the ground substance of fascia is converted from gel state to solid state.

*Scarring or injury to this network of connective tissue is a major cause of pain and limitation 0f motion. *This impose uneven stress, Because the fascial system is interconnected, this stress can be transmitted through the fascia to other parts of the body, causing symptoms may appear in areas of the body that unrelated to the actual restricted area.

How Myofascial Release Work? *The gentle and sustained myofascial release is believed to supply mechanical and thermal energy which converts the ground substance into gel state again which allow facilitation of sliding movement of collagen and elastin fibers.

*The gentle and sustained pressure and stretch of myofascial release is believed to free these adhesions and soften and lengthen the fascia.

*By freeing up fascia that may cause compression on blood vessels or nerves, myofascial release is also said to improve circulation and nervous system transmission.

Effect of Myofascial Release

*Relieve pain*Restore function*Increase range of motion*Improve motor performance*Restore body equilibrium

*Myofascial Release is highly effective in treating patients with the following diagnoses:- *Back strain, chronic back pain, low back pain, thoracic pain. *Carpal tunnel syndrome *Chronic cervical pain

Indications

*Dizziness and vertigo .*Fibromyalgia. *Headache. *Myofascial pain dysfunction. *Trigger points, tender points.

Precautions and Contraindications

*Recent surgery or an injury or pregnancy, some movements or stretches may not be appropriate. * High fever, inflammation, infection, phlebitis, thrombosis, jaundice, or an infectious skin condition.

Technique of Application

*The physical therapist finds the area of tightness. *A sustained pressure over time is applied to the tight area. *The physical therapist waits for the tissue to relax and then increases the stretch. *The process is repeated until the area is fully relaxed. *Then, the next area is treated.

Cross hand release

*With relaxed hands, using cross hand technique, slowly apply gentle pressure and slowly open your hands to slowly stretch out elastic component of fascia until reach a barrier.* At this point, maintain sufficient pressure to hold the stretch at the barrier and wait a minimum of 2 minutes, usually longer (approximately 3-5 minutes). *Wait for release to occur and follow along the direction of ease of tissue, barrier after barrier.

Procedures

*The therapist will first ask about the patients complaints *The therapist closely examine patient first by inspection of posture as you sit, stand, walk, and lie.*Then By palpation of neck, chest, pelvis, back, or other areas will be felt *The skin is palpated and stretched or moved in all direction to feel for areas of tightness. *Using the fingertips, knuckles, heel of the hand, or arm, the therapist then feels, or "palpates," deeper layers.

Procedures

*When a restricted area is found, the tissues are stretched gently by applying low load gentle pressure along the direction of the muscle fibers until a resistance to further stretch is felt.

*The stretch is guided by feedback the therapist feels from the patient's body. This feedback tells the therapist how much force to use, the direction of the stretch and how long to stretch.

The stretch may be held for one to two minutes, and sometimes for up to five minutes, before "release" is felt (creep). The release indicates that the muscle is relaxing, or the fascia has been realigned to its proper orientation.

The process is then repeated until the tissues are fully elongated. The patient should feel less pain and move more easily than you did before. Sessions typically last 30 minutes to an hour and may be given one to three times a week depending on your condition.

Cervical muscles release

Para-spinal muscles release

Neck muscles release

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