Tom Myers Myofascial Release

[Roy Dassow]

Theoreticallymyofascial pain differs from other types of pain because it originates in "trigger points," which are related to stiff, anchored areas within the myofascial tissue. The pain that a trigger point causes is often difficult to localize, though. During myofascial release therapy, the therapist locates myofascial areas that feel stiff and fixed instead of elastic and movable under light manual pressure. These areas, though not always near what feels like the source of pain, are thought to restrict muscle and joint movements, which contributes to widespread muscle pain. The focused manual pressure and stretching used in myofascial release therapy loosen up restricted movement, leading indirectly to reduced pain.

The most immediate and obvious benefit of myofascial massage is pain relief. Many patients experience immediate relief following a release. However, several visits are typically needed to provide muscles with the prolonged, focused healing they need to eliminate pain, strain and inflammation. There are also many secondary benefits to myofascial massage that simply contribute to a healthier body.

Many studies have found that massage and similar manual therapies work well for treatments of back pain. If you've been told that myofascial release therapy may be helpful for your back pain, consult a therapist who has training in the technique.

Self myofascial release techniques are designed to enable and encourage inhibited tissue, or restrictions within our body, to let go. This, in turn, will have a positive impact on our mobility (i.e., the ability to passively take a joint through its optimal range of motion without restriction). But perhaps the most fascinating aspect of SMR is the effect it can have on the nervous system. Fascia is loaded with sensory nerves that communicate directly with our central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord.

The PSNS controls our ability to rest, recover, release, and relax. Breath is key. When we are breathing fully, smoothly, and evenly, we stay connected to the PSNS more easily, sending signals to our brain and back to our muscles and our fascia to release.

1. Less is more: If you are feeling intense sensation, change your approach or modify it by using a softer tool. You could also place a blanket over the tool for more support. If you are using myofascial balls, to help dissipate the sensation I suggest using two balls side by side instead of one. You might also use a chair or a wall to take the weight off your body.

For example, after releasing the piriformis muscle (deep in the glutes near the top of the hip), you could do pigeon pose followed by a vinyasa, or even a simple supine figure four. Give your body and mind a chance to assess and notice any difference. Encourage the change you want to experience by inspiring and re-educating new pathways in your nervous system.

The movement stretches the skin and fascia underneath, freeing up fluid within layers of tissue. The pressure used is gentle yet is believed to reach deeper layers of muscle and nerves than deep forms of bodywork.

Chronic pain is threatening our quality of life, with approximately 50 million sufferers in the U.S. alone. These latest statistics released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention leads us to explore a modality within massage that has had positive results in pain relief in recent studies.

MASSAGE Magazine spoke to leading experts in the field of myofascial release, and what they reveal about fascia and pain relief could persuade massage therapists to incorporate this gentle technique that affects deep layers of connective tissue.

Tom Myers, coauthor of Fascial Release for Structural Balance and international speaker on myofascial techniques, considers myofascial release a form of therapy and education between client and massage therapist.

The effectiveness of the myofascial release technique on pain relief depends how far along an individual is in that process. The sooner a client starts the process of recovery, the easier that journey will be.

There is a mind-body component to how myofascial release works that floats around the edges of the energy body and physical body of a person. John F. Barnes, PT, who has been immersed in the field for over 50 years, said to understand myofascial release, one must observe the survival mechanism of our body which is composed of our feeling intelligence and thinking intelligence.

Barnes said that fascia becomes restricted from trauma, surgery and thwarted inflammatory responses that can produce up to 2,000 pounds per square inch of pressure. The equivalent of a full-grown horse standing on a nerve.

Magnified under a microscope, fascia looks like spider webs. It has six times more sensory nerve endings than muscle. Like many other systems of the body, fascia is adaptive and responds to stress both externally (environment) and internally (within the body).

Years ago, fascia was regarded as packing material within the body and thrown out by anatomist during cadaver dissections. The more accepted belief today is fascia is its own system. Medical research and tests are lagging behind evident in that fascia does not show up on MRI scans, CT scans or X-Rays. Many experts believe that fascia is the missing piece of the puzzle to chronic pain and illness.

Studies have found myofascial release is an effective technique to treat pain, fibromyalgia, increase blood flow, improve range of motion, speed up muscle recovery, alleviate chronic lower back pain, improve sleep, reduce anxiety and depression, and quality of life.

The condition does not affect one system rather is made up of symptoms that also include joint discomfort, sleep disorders, anxiety and depression. Studies have shown that myofascial release improves pain and and quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2010, Dec. 28.

A study published in the Journal of Sport Rehabilitation evaluated 14 men who exercised at least twice a week for 45 minutes. They were given a short and long term protocol for self-myofascial release of the ankle and hip.

Myofascial release programs typically cover techniques, evaluation, assessment and treatment approaches for common complaints such as lower back and neck pain. Since myofascial release techniques, teaching methods and approach vary from instructor to instructor, it is best to research the style and what a massage therapist can do with the skills acquired from the program before commiting to a lengthy and expensive training.

Have a clear understanding of what skills you would like to have and incorporate into your practice and ask lots of questions about the program. Myofascial release training can be an invaluable source to both the massage therapist and the clients they treat.

Likewise, a massage therapist can take their skills to clinics, work in hospitals, with sports teams or rehabilitation centers. A massage therapist can also apply myofascial release to enhance their understanding of the body in a relaxation massage in a spa setting.

Working with athletes, for instance, is an area of specialization for a myofascial therapist who wants to work in a performance based setting. Clinical and hospital settings are viable options for massage therapists who have an interest in working on patients in rehabilitation or post surgery.

The promising research behind myofascial release has birthed self-myofascial release, a technique done using foam rollers, balls, massage sticks and massagers, and popular among athletes and fitness centers.

Aside from the retail sales options of these tools, massage therapsits can also provide hands-on sessions with foam rollers teaching clients a protocol to use at home and also how and where to use trigger point balls on their back, hips and shoulders.

One of the challenges of coming out of massage school is that many students are overwhelmed by marketing to every person as a potential client. Trying to target a marketing campaign to everyone can be a frustrating and expensive task that tends to leave business owners frustrated.

Networking with physicians, surgeons, rehab centers, fitness centers and physical therapy clinics. This also gives an advantage in communicating the benefits of myofascial release on their specific health concern and what can be done to help them.

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Background: We hypothesised that the balance of spastic chronic stroke patients is related to myofascial problems. We performed myofascial release (MFR) with a tennis ball on the affected limb, as suggested by Myers.

Methods: Eight stroke patients were enrolled voluntarily after providing informed consent. All subjects received 8-week interventions with MFR using a tennis ball three times per week. The patients were evaluated using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Timed 'Up & Go' (TUG) test before and after 4 and 8 weeks of the intervention.

Conclusion: Myofascial release appears to improve the balance of spastic chronic stroke patients; however, further studies should evaluate the effective of MFR on walking in stroke patients and determine the mechanism of the effect of MFR.

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