The Effective Use Of Myofascial Release Therapy

By Young Lindsay


Many people lose function or flexibility after an injury or if ongoing pain is experienced in the soft tissue of shoulders, hips or the back. Myofascial release therapy is used to release tightness and help with reduction of pain and restriction of motion. The goal of therapy is to loosen the contracted muscles, stimulate their stretch reflex and improve the blood and lymphatic circulation.

A connective tissue web known as the fascia surrounds every tendon, ligament, muscle, bone and organ in the body. This cushion of connective tissue supports and protects, allowing for comfortable motion. When healthy, the tissue is relaxed but it becomes tight when damaged. Blood circulation is restricted and pain can be severe. Loosening and stretch the fascia is necessary for healing to take place, allowing all the contiguous structures to move more freely.

Symptoms experienced by individuals are varied, including muscle pain and spasms, headaches, sciatica, chronic neck and back pain. Some people experience pins and needles or numbness and others have breathing problems. Many people experiencing fascia trauma are not diagnosed properly as it cannot be picked up on tests like X rays. They may suffer for some time and undergo many unsuccessful treatments.

Those performing this type of therapy have to go through specific training. Many different courses are available, including ones aimed at those who are already graduates like occupational and physical therapists or osteopathic physicians. This is a different type of treatment to massage and various practical techniques have to be mastered. The therapist must be able to identify the areas requiring treatment and then move carefully through every restriction, applying just the right kind of pressure for the right amount of time.

The first appointment will be devoted to establishing the extent of the restriction and suggesting a treatment plan. Follow up sessions may be held weekly or more than once a week. They may continue for weeks or even months, depending on the progress made. The progress is evident by reduced pain and increased range of motion experienced by the patient.

No oils, creams or machinery of any sort is used for this type of treatment. It is the therapist who does all the work. The process is safe and gentle and it has been used successfully for many years to treat injuries and pain that do not seem to respond to other measures. The whole body approach used makes this therapy really effective.

The pressure applied by a therapist gentle to much deeper. However, it is never beyond the tolerance level of the patient. Communication between the therapist and patient ensures this. Some patients experience a slight burning sensation on their skin but this is quite normal. Others may feel stretching in the area being treated.

There are many different therapists offering this type of treatment. Some are more qualified and experienced than others, making it important to check credentials before just randomly selecting one. If one is found online, it is usually possible to read testimonials from grateful clients. This is often very helpful when trying to make the right decision.




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