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