myofascialsyndrome

What Is Myofascial Release, And How Does It Work For You?

2011-06-22T09:11:00.001-07:00

What Is Myofascial Release, And How Does It Work For You?

By Scott Van Niekerk

Myofascial Release is an extremely effective form of bodywork that helps to reduce pain and stiffness, and gives you back your energy. It is also called manual therapy, or hands-on therapy / healing. It is a gentle form of stretching and balancing which has a profound effect upon the body tissues.
There are many different forms of myofascial release. Physical therapists whom are specialty trained by John Barnes have superior tools to help you. He is the founder of the most widely accepted, gentle and effective form of myofascial release.
To understand how this relates to your body better it may help to understand a little about the anatomy of fascia.
Fascia
Fascia (also called connective tissue) is a tissue system of the body to which relatively little attention has been given in the past.
The fascia is a continuous spiderweb-like network that extends without interruption from the top of the head to the tip of the toes. It surrounds, supports, protects and infuses with every other tissue and organ of the body, including nerves, blood vessels, muscle and bone. Muscle provides the greatest bulk of our body's soft tissue. Because all muscle is enveloped by and ingrained with fascia, myofascial release is the term that has been given to the techniques that are used to relieve soft tissue from the strait-jacket grip of tight fascia ("myo" means "Muscle" in latin).
Myofascial restrictions
These do not show up on any of the standard tests (x-rays, CAT scans, MRI's etc) so they often are ignored or misdiagnosed. The fascia becomes stuck down, hard, dried out and restricted after surgery (a scar) but also following trauma, inflammation, or disease. The tightening fascia can put pressure on the body which is pain-sensitive and reach into far-away areas helping to create Some seemingly bizarre pain symptoms that appear to be unrelated to the original or primary complaint. Through this lense patients can now feel understood and validated.
Treating Fascial Restrictions
The point of all the above information is to help you understand your body better. During myofascial release treatments, you may be treated in areas that you may not think are related to your condition. The trained therapist has a thorough understanding of the fascial system and will "release" the fascia in areas that he/she knows have a strong "drag" on your area of injury. This is, therefore, a whole body approach to treatment, a WHOLE body approach in the truest sense of the word.
The type of myofascial release technique carried out by the therapist will depend upon where in your body the therapist finds the fascia restricted. Each treatment session will be different, a recipe is never followed, because a person's body is different from day to day.
The therapist needs to be use "skin to skin" contact to provide the friction interface needed to release the fascia effectively. Therefore, the patient should be "comfortably undressed", wearing, for example a two piece bathing suit, pants and bra or gym shorts and sports bra / tank top.
Myofascial Release treatment sessions are often extremely relaxing. There may or may not be conversation with the therapist, however the therapist encourages the patient to be present and aware of sensations within their body. Feedback from the patient to the therapist regarding what they are feeling helps the therapist to be as effective as possible.
Sometimes, but not always, there is a temporary increase in pain after treatment. There is no cause for alarm, but certainly notify the therapist. This period of the "healing crisis" is then followed by remarkable improvement. Often remarkable improvement is noted immediately during or after a treatment. Sometimes new pains in new areas will be experienced. There is sometimes a feeling of light-headedness or nausea. Sometimes a patient experiences a temporary emotion change. All of these are normal reactions of the body to the profound, but positive, changes that have occurred by releasing the fascial restrictions. Any and all of these reactions should be communicated with the therapist.
It is felt that release of tight tissue is accompanied by release of trapped metabolic waste products in the surrounding tissue and bloodstream. We highly recommend that you "flush your system" by drinking a lot of fluids during the course of your treatments, so that reactions like nausea and light-headedness will remain minimal or nil.
If you have any questions concerning myofascial release, please discuss them with your John Barnes trained MFR therapist.
This article is original material written by Scott van Niekerk, physical therapist and owner of Wholistic physical Therapy in Brewster, NY. We are a Holistic Treatment center, with physical therapists specialised in Myofascial Release, as taught by John Barnes. Please visit our website http://wholisticphysicaltherapy.com for more information on how we can help you be FREE of pain and stiffness, to have your life back!

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Prolotherapy for Ligament laxity and Hypermobility

2011-05-14T11:21:00.000-07:00

Prolotherapy for Ligament Laxity and Hypermobility

Ross Hauser, MD is Medical Director of Caring Medical in Chicago land, specializing in Prolotherapy for tough cases of sports injuries and full body chronic pain and arthritis. In this video, Dr. Hauser reviews his use of Prolotherapy for hypermobili...

Myofascial Needling

2011-04-22T11:38:00.001-07:00

Myofascial Needling for Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome - by Dr. Spina

Dr. Spina discusses a case of Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (MTSS) and demonstrates treatment utilizing 'myofascial needling.' Also discussed is Dr. Spina's 'Tibial Bow' test for diagnosing microfracturing of the tibia as a result of repetitive stres...

Myofascial Trigger Points: Causes and Treatment

2011-04-09T07:33:00.000-07:00

Myofascial Trigger Points: Causes and Treatment

What causes myofascial trigger points and how do you treat them? This video will help you understand trigger points that cause pain. It shows charts, diagrams and pictures of different trigger points. We then go over some very effective ways to treat myofascial syndrome and turn off trigger points.

Fibromyalgia and theMyofascial Pain Trigger Points

2011-03-31T17:44:00.000-07:00

Fibromyalgia and Myofascial Pain Trigger Points | Living With ...
It isn't difficult to differentiate between fibromyalgia pain and myofascial pain syndrome. Unfortunately, not all medical practitioners are able to make an accurate diagnosis of fibromyalgia. Therefore, it is possible to be given a ...
Publish Date: 03/19/2011 2:44
http://www.fibromyalgiadietandtreatment.com/fibromyalgia-and-myofascial-pain-trigger-points/

Myofascial Pain Syndrome

2011-03-28T21:25:00.000-07:00

Dr. Terry Chambers discusses Myofascial Pain Syndrome
Dr. Terry Chambers of Chambers Chiropractic and Acupuncture Offices, Martinsburg, WV 25403 discusses Myofascial Pain Syndrome

Beginning Myofascial Release Massage DVD with Real Bodywork

2010-08-14T12:12:00.000-07:00

Myofascial Release Massage An excerpt from the Real Bodywork DVD.

In this video you will learn about Skin Rolling, Arm & Leg Pulls, Cross handed
Stretches, and Transverse Diaphram Releases.

[tags] myofascial release, skin rolling, arm & leg pulls, Cross handed stretches, transverse diaphram releases[/tags]

Myofascial approach to Knee, IT Band and Thigh Pain

2010-07-27T15:00:00.000-07:00

Many people experience IT Band, thigh and knee pain. While rolling out affords relief for some, here are some additional methods you can use to better address the stubborn knots that develop from hard exercise, trauma, even dehydration. Proceed with caution while doing these exercises, and always consult your healthcare professional when you have any concerns about proper therapy for your muscles and joints.

Myofascial Release Video - Demo the upper back, shoulder & arm

2010-07-22T21:05:00.000-07:00

Gary Wilson demonstrates myofascial release on the upper back, shoulder & arm This clip is an excerpt of the 99-minute instructional DVD: Clinical Treatment of the Upper Extremeties.

MyoFascial Release Technique - a Short Video

2010-07-21T16:09:00.000-07:00

MyoFascial Release works on the muscles and fascia of your body, giving fundamental, long-lasting benefits. This is the number one tool for pain relief in this Manchester, UK clinic.

Chronic Myofascial Pain & Fibromyalgia - Often Together BUT Miles Apart

2010-07-19T09:58:00.001-07:00

Many people with fibromyalgia also have chronic myofascial pain or CMP (formally known as Myofascial Pain Syndrome, MPS) and don't even know it. It is often missed because it is easy to confuse the pain and it's origins with that of FM. As a result, it is missed in the diagnosis.

Both are connected to the musculoskeletal system, which makes up almost 50% of our body weight, but should not be confused as being the same. Understanding FM and CMP and what makes them tick, will empower you to help yourself. You will be able to figure out some of the contributing factors to your pain, where it originates and what makes it feel better. It will help you understand treatments and find the one(s) that work for you.

It was recently discovered that MPS is not actually a syndrome at all, but a neuromuscular disease. This is important news! The difference? Diseases have known causes and a well-understood process for producing symptoms. Myofascial pain due to trigger points is now considered a true disease, rather than a syndrome.

Fibromyalgia is a syndrome like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus and has tender points (not to be confused with trigger points). Even with these differences, it is believed by many researchers that one can influence the other.

I have mentioned before that I have a few experts that I follow closely and call my "fibro heroes" because they helped me through their studies and publications to understand and validate my pain. Devin Starlanyl is one of those heroes. Actually, she was my first. I read a book she co-authored, Fibromyalgia and Chronic Myofascial Pain: A Survival Manual, and quickly followed that by her book, The Fibromyalgia Advocate: Getting the Support You Need to Cope with Fibromyalgia and Myofascial Pain - she is amazing! She is a sufferer herself as well as a doctor/researcher. She set about trying to give doctors perspective from the patient's point of view and has created diagnostic guidelines, patient resources with an empathy you can't get anywhere else. She is at the forefront of all the research, news and information & shares it with FM & CMP sufferers in a way we can understand. Finding out about her work, was the beginning of my understanding.

What are trigger points? Trigger points are subtle, but taut bands that constrict the muscle and cause tremendous pain. Trigger points can be in the fascia that surrounds the muscle or in the muscle itself. They are extremely sensitive to pressure at the site and also cause "referred" pain - meaning pain at another location of the body. The part of the muscle fiber that actually does the contracting is a miniscule component called a sarcomere which cannot be seen by the naked eye. Contraction occurs in a sarcomere when its two parts come together and interlock like fingers. Myofascial trigger points are confined in one area and are dying for oxygen, which causes a demand for energy. There is a chemical reaction in central nervous system which sensitizes nearby nerves. This triggers the motor, sensitivity and autonomic (not under voluntary control) reactions of the trigger points. Muscles with trigger points are in a perpetual state of energy crisis.
Trigger points cause headaches, neck and jaw pain (TMJ), low back pain, tennis elbow, and carpal tunnel syndrome. They can cause pain in the shoulder, wrist, hip, knee, and ankle and are often mistaken for arthritis, tendonitis, bursitis, or ligament injury.

Trigger points can also cause dizziness, earaches, sinusitis, nausea, heartburn, false heart pain, heart arrhythmia, genital pain, and numbness in the hands and feet. Some experts believe that fibromyalgia may sometimes start as a result of myofascial trigger points. In CMP trigger points, the pain is more intense with a radiating pattern along the same muscle or muscle group. There is usually some loss of the range of motion, as well as a substantial weakness in the muscles that have active trigger points. The pain decreases when the muscle is at rest, and the intensity of the pain increases as soon as the that muscle starts to contract.
Proof of myofascial trigger points has been produced by the use of electromyographic imaging (a device that converts the electrical activity associated with functioning skeletal muscle into a visual record or into sound and has been used to diagnose neuromuscular disorders and in biofeedback training). Researchers have also used ultrasounds of localized twitch responses of trigger points. They can even do biopsies of myofascial trigger points that show the contraction knots and rounded muscle fibers. In one of Devin Starlanyl's articles, I read that, as a result of this, The Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain has stated that the trigger points involve the "nerve terminal and the postjunctional muscle fiber" which "identifies myofascial trigger points as a neuromuscular disease". Simons DG. 1999. Diagnostic criteria of myofascial pain caused by trigger points. J Musculoskeletal Pain 7(1-2):111-120.

What causes trigger points? There are many factors that can be attributed to trigger points: poor posture, scoliosis, thyroid deficiency, estrogen deficiency, loss of flexibility, nerve root compression (pinched nerve), emotional stress/anxiety that leads to lack of sleep which can increase muscle tension, fatigue and pain threshold. Other factors that MAY cause or worsen CMP trigger points are: nutritional deficiencies, chronic infections, muscle imbalance, inactivity (static posture).

When I injured my left knee, which resulted in surgery, I developed a limp and without even thinking about it, continued to favor (protect) that knee long after surgery. As a result, my entire left side became weak and I experienced pain that radiated from my lower back all the way to my ankle. My lower back and hip would tighten up so much to compensate for the muscles in my leg, that I sometimes couldn't even move. The pain felt like all my muscles from the waist down on that side had "seized". It was so intense, I would have to freeze in that position until it eased. It still happens today, but the difference is, I know what to do about it.
After a car accident, my FM and CMP were inflamed to a point that I was sent to a therapist for continual treatment. I had been reading about Myofascial Release Therapy and was really wanting to try it. I was pleasantly surprised to find a myofacial release therapist that had practiced under John F. Barnes, President and Director of the Myofascial Release Treatment Centers and National Myofascial Release Seminars. Barnes developed the most incredible, pain-easing therapy that makes your fascia and muscles feel like they are melting like butter and gently releasing and unfolding your muscles! Of course, that is MY non-clinical way of describing it, BUT that is what it felt like to me.

Being a military family, we eventually had to move to another base and I immediately started searching for a therapist that knew and understood the John Barnes method. I saw several therapists (covered by my insurance) that claimed to know it, but I was incredibly disappointed and ended up hurting more after a session than when I went in. So, my recommendation is to make sure these people have actually studied under Barnes or were trained at one of his seminars. Ask for proof. You can also find a link to his site on my website where you kind find a list of therapists.

With all of the research and progress being made in understanding and treating chronic myofascial pain, who knows what tomorrow will bring! I will continue to bring you more information on CMP - from diagnosis to traditional and alternative treatments. There is a great deal of hope for people like you and me!

Erica Thompson is a 40-year-old, Stay-at-Home mom with 3 children and a husband in the military. She was diagnosed with FMS in 1995, but suffered from it many years prior to diagnosis and later, diagnosed with Myofascial Pain Syndrome. She has done extensive research and is an expert based on her own experience, her mother's and her grandmother's. Her goal is to educate as many people as she can about FMS and all that goes with it. Mostly, she just wants to make FMS sufferers' lives better - even just a little bit. [http://fibromyalgiahelp4us.com/]

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Beginning Myofascial Release DVD

Fibromyalgia and Chronic Myofascial Pain: A Survival Manual (2nd Edition)

Advanced Myofascial Release DVD

Trigger Point Therapy for Myofascial Pain: The Practice of Informed Touch Travell

Understanding the Musculoskeletal Pain Syndrome - Myofascial Pain Syndrome

2010-07-18T18:35:00.000-07:00

In order to understand the musculoskeletal pain syndrome, we must examine fibromyalgia, which we have already done. Now, we will examine the other half of this very complex pain syndrome, the myofascial pain syndrome or MPS. The myofascial pain syndrome describes and defines a condition characterized by chronic pain, often associated with neck pain and back pain, as well as sciatica. Myofascial pain syndrome is best known for pain caused by "trigger points" or TrPs. Trigger points are localized pain centers or points, at times expressed as painful knots or contractures found in any skeletal muscle, anywhere on the body. Researchers have visibly napped and identified these "knots" which may express pain as anything from referred pain to very specific and intense pain in other parts of the body. In other words, myofascial pain syndrome symptoms may vary from referred pain at various myofascial trigger point,s to specific and localized pain in other areas of the body.

As noted above, MPS is closely related to the complex musculoskeletal pain syndrome known as fibromyalgia. Whereas fibromyalgia pain is expressed generally and occurs above and below the waist, on the right and left sides of the body, MPS, with its associated pain syndrome, is often more localized and found in more circumscribed areas of the body. Myofascial pain is more frequently expressed around the neck and shoulders, and is usually found on only one side of the body.

In both myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) and fibromyalgia (FMS) there appears to be an alteration or a problem with the pain threshold, perceived versus actual pain. In other words, there appears to be a difference between pain reported and the actual amount of painful stimuli. MPS appears to be a problem of pain perception and expression. Some of the symptoms associated with myofascial pain syndrome include increased muscle soreness and tenderness, particularly in certain and very specific areas (muscles of the upper back, trapezius). Interestingly, as with fibromyalgia, MPS is found more frequently in women than men, the reason for this is unknown. In addition to chronic and more localized pain expression, the syndrome is also known to be associated with sleep disturbances and fatigue. The pain associated with this condition also appears to persist, and often worsen, over time. While pain appears to be specific and localized, it is also chronic and may express itself as headaches, neck, pelvic or hip, jaw, and even arm and leg pain. The leg pain may be mistaken for or diagnosed as sciatica. Which is a mistake or misdiagnosis, sciatica is a symptom, not a diagnosis!

The pain associated with MPS is generally expressed as an aching, deep, almost throbbing pain. Often, the pain in the lower back or hips is described as an aching or throbbing pain. As noted above, the pain often worsens and persists longer than expected, given the diagnosis and the underlying cause or suspected cause. The pain is also expressed as a stiffness in the muscles, and the joints adjacent to the affected muscle. The painful contracture or knot is often expressed as an area of stiffness or tension. The affected area feels very much like a tight spot or and knot and may be sensitive to the touch.
Factors that may be instrumental in bringing on myofascial pain syndrome may include muscle injury, continued stress, both psychological and physical stress to a localized muscle or muscle area, age (MPS is more likely to be diagnosed in middle age women but is also diagnosed in men), a sedentary lifestyle and/or inactivity may bring on pain at certain trigger points in the muscle, and finally, anxiety and stress. Individuals under a great deal of stress often express pain at various trigger points, perhaps due to muscle tension as a result of stress. Some researchers have suggested that the clenching or tightening of muscles associated with stress is a factor.

If pain persists or worsens, or seems to have no real reason for being there or appears to be localized, as with trigger points or knots, then a medical specialist should be consulted. Complications of myofascial pain syndrome may include muscle weakness, particularly due to inactivity as the pain sufferer is on able or unwilling to tax the painful muscle area. Additionally, as noted above, sleep may be a problem, as it is often difficult to get relief from the pain long enough to fall a sleep. Lack of sleep or sleep disturbances may be one of the reasons why chronic fatigue also seems to be related to this condition. Finally, it has been suggested that myofascial pain syndrome may evolve into fibromyalgia in some patients. While MPS is localized and unilateral in its pain expression, fibromyalgia is widespread and chronic, and it is thought myofascial pain syndrome may play a role in this condition.

Myofascial pain syndrome treatment generally includes some sort of trigger point injection and/or oral medications, as well as physical therapy, exercise, stretching, and massage. Once trigger points are identified, the medical practitioner may use an injection strategy called "needling" to localize pain at various trigger points. Stretching is generally done to ease the pain at the affected muscle trigger point by gently stretching the area. At times, medical practitioners employ a freezing lotion, spray or solution to numb the affected area or trigger point while treating it. Gentle massage also appears to be effective in some instances, although trigger point sensitivity is a problem. Finally, medications are often used, to include NSAIDs and depression medications, particularly tricyclic antidepressants. Depressants seem to help with chronic pain symptoms and with sleep disturbances, thus reducing stress.

Ultimately, taking care of your self, relieving or alleviating stress, combined with a strategy of exercise, relaxation, and a healthy diet has been shown to be effective. Taking care of one's self may go a long way towards effectively dealing with myofascial pain syndrome. Exercise, particularly a program that allows for gentle stretching and controlled movement, is effective. Walking has also been shown to alleviate tension, improve muscle tone, and reduce over all pain sensitivity in many patients. If the myofascial pain syndrome patient is tense, anxious, depressed, and/or stressed more pain may be experienced, particularly neck pain, back pain, hip pain, and sciatica or sciatica-like pain. Meditation, social interaction, either in person or online, writing, journaling, acupuncture, and, in some instances hypnosis, have all been demonstrated to alleviate stress and reduce pain levels. Finally, take care of yourself! Taking care of your body, eat the right kinds of foods, as in a healthy diet full of vegetables and fruit, combined with enough sleep, will help the MPS sufferer cope with the chronic pain, fatigue, and stiffness associated with myofascial pain syndrome.

For further information and an intelligent program of treatment for neck pain, back pain, and sciatica, what I refer to as the "back pain complex" try the program below:
http://www.HowToStopSciatica.com

For additional resources dealing with neck pain, back pain, and sciatica, including additional treatment plans and a community for support; an awesome resource for New Balance running shoes, great for heel cushioning and a must for anyone suffering from neck pain, back pain, and/or sciatica; ice-compression braces, crucial for inflammation and swelling; orthotics for the times when the New Balance can't be worn; and, natural antinflammatories for the back pain complex:

Go to:
http://www.UltimateBadBackStrategies.com
Professor John P. J. Zajaros, Sr., The Bad Back Guy

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Myofascial Release Massages Away the Pain

2010-07-18T18:32:00.000-07:00

Myofascial Release is a specialized massage therapy which lengthens your body's muscles and connective tissue to relieve pain common in soft tissue disorders. You will leave your first myofascial release session more comfortable than you thought possible, more relaxed, and breathing more deeply than before.
Muscles and Fascia
To understand why myofascial release works so well you first need to know a bit about fascia, the thin white layer of tissue which covers every organ in your body. Each muscle group and every fiber of muscle tissue within it is covered with fascial tissue. As much as 40% of each muscle group, or myofascial unit, is composed of this tough, elastic tissue which which protects, organizes and lubricates the associated muscle.
For a massage therapist the myofascia's function as a muscle lubricant is most important. Normal myofascia enables muscle fibers to move easily within the muscle group, and enables the muscle group itself to move smoothly against other muscles and structures within the body.
Due to injury, repetitive overuse, habitual postures or even emotional states the normally smooth, slick and flexible myofascial tissue can shorten and become rigid, sticky and inelastic. It may lose its lubricant properties and act more like an adhesive - binding muscle fibers to each other. This causes pain, restricts range of muscle motion, may cause muscle spasms, and creates much of what we experience as generalized tension. The stress and imbalance in the muscle and fascia can radiate throughout the body causing pain and symptoms in locations you would not ordinarily expect.
Myofascial Release Aims
Myofascial release aims to restore the normal smooth functioning of the fascia associated with injured muscles, and, to stretch the fascia/muscle unit back to its proper length. Myofascial massage releases the tight, bound-up areas in your muscles gradually thus evening out the tightness of injured fascia.
Practitioners of myofascial release begin stretching your fascia guided by feedback from your body. Tight, short fascia feels very different to the touch than normally functioning tissue. Experienced myofascial release therapists locate the areas of tightness by lightly touching, they stretch a small area with minimal force - often using only two fingers - and then wait for the fascia to relax. Immediately upon its relaxing somewhat more effort is applied to increase the stretch. The process proceeds over the entire affected muscle until it is fully relaxed.
Note that the stretch, or myofascial release, is created by the therapist's hands and not typically by the patient moving his muscles or limbs. The effect is not painful and most people find it very relaxing, increasingly so as the massage proceeds and more sore areas are treated.
Results of Myofascial Release
Often patients have become so desensitized by continued pain that they are unable to accurately say where they hurt. Not to worry! Guided by tactile feedback, a complete myofascial massage by an experienced myofascial massage therapist may range from the patient's calves to their cranium - wherever the trail of abnormally tensed myofascia leads.
With treatment these sore myofascial trigger points will disappear leaving you pain-free, with an increased range of motion, and able to breathe more deeply. You can judge your own progress by relief from pain, and by your improved posture.

Author: Dennis Foreman

Dennis Foreman is a back pain sufferer with over 20 years experience receiveing Myofascial Release, Craniosacral Therapy and Fibromyalgia-like Massages. He lives in the Dallas Metroplex and his favorite massage therapistwebsite can be found by clicking: Massage Plano Texas.

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