Foundations in Myofascial Release I will be held in Rochester, NY on September 17-19, 2010. This class is newly updated and 20 contact hours. Approved for New York State CEU’s for physical therapists and NCBTMB credits. For full information, to download a brochure, and to sign up, please go to the Seminars Page of my website.
Add comment June 19th, 2010
Who are the pioneers in the field of Myofascial Release? Or better put, who are those that created a shift in the way we view the body?
A look at the history of Myofascial Release, as well as the primary contributors, can be obtained on Wikipedia. But who represents the future?
I have a respect for the research and writings of Robert Schleip, Ph. D, who is a German fascia researcher and Rolfer. A case in point is his article, Fascial plasticity – a new neurobiological explanation: Part 1. While acknowledging the hypothetical nature of his work, he puts forth an explanation for the mechanism of fascial work from the basis of neurobiology.
When I put my hands on a client and feel changes, I have always had a mental picture of what was occurring, based on my learning. Schleip takes these same sensations and frames them in a new way. Since current research has failed to confirm the paradigm of mechanical explanation that I was taught as a means of validating fascial release, his theory draws from plausible explanations to come up with a logical framework. Sacred cows, whether they be in Myofascial Release or Craniosacral Therapy, can be changed.
So why does it matter? If what we are doing works, why should the explanation be so important? If Myofascial Release is to gain further credibility as an accepted modality, the science does matter. Will this change how we work? Quite possibly; finding the mechanism for change may lead to further advances in theory and technique.
Give Schleip’s article a read and let me know your thoughts.
Walt Fritz, PT
4 comments June 6th, 2010
I have created a new Group on the business networking site LinkedIn specifically for Myofascial Release Therapists. This is another opportunity to present your practice to the public, as well as to network with other MFR professionals.
Walt Fritz, PT
Add comment June 4th, 2010
A common aftermath of body work in general can be redness and itching of the skin. I have seen this especially evident in the trunk and ribcage area and can sometimes be rather pronounced. I was taught that this was a reaction to histamine released from the cells, creating an itching sensation. What have you been taught? Also, why does it seem more evident in the trunk vs other parts of the body?
I have a few good theories that I will share, but I invite your feedback.
Walt Fritz, PT
4 comments June 2nd, 2010
In my previous post, I talked about the importance of improving the mobility of the ribcage. I want to build on that by giving you some ideas for further increasing the flexibility and range of motion of the rib cage and beyond.
The seated respiratory diaphragm release is a technique many of us have been taught. This is an excellent way of releasing the three dimensional aspects of the diaphragm and proximity. You can take that concept one step further by performing a technique as shown here.
Motion test your client for limitations or pain. I will always work them in both directions, but you may wish to begin in the direction of ease. Be cautious of reports of light headedness or clammy skin, which can signal pressure in the area of the vagus nerve. Take them to a gentle end barrier and wait through successive releases. Repeat in the other direction.
This technique works well to improve intercostal soft tissue flexibility, anterior shoulder region tightness, and respiratory diaphragm restrictions.
How does this technique improve your effectiveness?
Walt Fritz, PT
Copyright 2010 by Walt Fritz, PT and www.MyofascialResource.com
Disclaimer: The information provided is intended for use in conjunction with a qualified health care professional. Please do not attempt these techniques yourself without proper instruction.
This information may be shared and/or included on your website, etc, as long as the article is printed in full, along with the source link.
Add comment June 1st, 2010
Much of Myofascial Release is about landscape. I look at posture to see deviations from mid line. I palpate tissue quality to determine tightness or restriction. I move into the rib cage to feel for areas that lack movement. These rib issues are what I want to address today.
Working into the osseous structures has always interested me. When learning this work, I felt that I had an adequate number of techniques to address rib cage tightness, but it was only through years of experimenting and noting the outcome that I learned the value of treating the rib cage.This is where landscape becomes important.
Think of the ways we treat those scapular or rhomboid knots that clients complain of. Treatments or modalities of all sorts may give some relief, but the pain returns. When was the last time you looked at and felt the landscape of the thoracic ribs?
In an ideal world, we are born with a landscape where the posterior rib cage gradually eases from shoulders to the lower trunk with a smooth, gradual sweep. There are no sharp peaks or valleys. With your client face down, you can view this while standing at their head. Global pressure into this area provides feedback of an equal give, all ribs and soft tissue flexing inward until you gradually reach the barrier. The thoracic spine matches this, with a smooth undulation toward the table. The scapula glides over this landscape in response to motion of the arm. The underside of the scapula finds no resitance from the smooth landscape underneath.
But, with normal or abnormal postural asymmetry, injury, scoliosis, or trauma, the rib cage often assumes a more craggy appearance, one where the landscape is interrupted by peaks or valleys of apparent tight ribs. The thoracic spine does not give equally to your pressure. The underside of the scapula is constantly irritated by the raised ribs, causing spams. The asymmetrical rib tension can force a rib head to misaligned at its junction with the spine.
Instead of staying on the surface and working the muscle or superficial fascia, move deeper into the rib cage. Engage the fascia and musculature of the intercostal regions. You most certainly will need to address pelvic torsions and tensions, but do not forget the landscape.
Walt Fritz, PT
1 comment May 12th, 2010
I’ve been using Myofascial Release for years with wonderful results. When I first began my training, I was exposed to soft tissue mobilization (STM) techniques that were less than soft, on both the therapist and patient. These deep, very painful techniques were taught as “last resort” techniques, but in truth were used quite commonly in practice. As a student on the receiving end of the STM, I wondered how this pain could be helpful. It took its toll on the therapist as well as the patient, as many of you can attest. Being told that it is acceptable to cause bruising in order to break up deep layers of muscular and fascial tightness just did not make sense.
Over the years, trial and error has allowed me to devise methods to achieve similar (or better) results with less pain for the patient and therapist. I’ve termed this method MyoMobilization. Combining the more gentle principles of Myofascial Release with the deeper pressures of STM, MyoMobilization works within the tolerance of the patient. Areas of the body that would benefit from MyoMobilization are easy to determine. For example, the marked density and tightness of the Iliotibial band or quadriceps make traditional Myofascial Release techniques inadequate. Traditional Myofascial Release schools of thought would have the therapist dig an elbow or knuckle deeply into the tissue, running the elbow slowly down the leg with multiple passes.
Using the concepts of MyoMobilization, the therapist palpates into the deeper layers of non-flexible tissue and holds at this layer of resistance. Instead of forcing the restriction with STM, simply stay at the deep barrier until it softens and releases. Follow at this deep, but patient tolerant, barrier until you’ve achieved better tissue quality of motion. The concept is not hard to learn and can be applied to the traditional cross-handed technique as well. Follow MyoMobilization with Myofascial Release or Myofascial lengthening stretches.
Any comments or questions that you would like to share?
Walt Fritz, PT
2 comments May 5th, 2010
So let me assume you’ve taken a seminar or two in Myofascial Release. You’ve gotten “the touch” of what a release feels like. You’ve learned a course book full of techniques. Now what to do with it?
You may have been led to believe that taking more and more seminars is the only way to become proficient. I disagree. Take the tools you’ve been taught and spend hours and hours trying it all out. Until you’ve used myofascial release on hundreds of patients, you’ll never pick it up in a seminar.
Moving from evaluation to treatment takes time, but be patient. Gather your data; note postural deviations, evaluate pelvic alignment, and spend lots of time palpating tissue quality. As you move through the body, note the responses from your patient that your palpation creates. Begin to connect the dots; does the abnormal tissue density or tightness that you’ve felt match your patient’s responses? This is often the place to begin.
The evaluation and treatment process of Myofascial Release encourages not falling into protocols. Everyone is unique, as are their issues with pain. But over time you will begin to see patterns that carry over from one patient to another.
Learning the patients with lumbar pain and tightness often have deeper tightness in the hip flexors makes treatment decisions easy to follow though from evaluation. But learning that using an internal rotation/distraction technique on the legs can reduce the spiral pattern of tightness from the leg to the hip to the back takes time and practice. This awareness will come with time.
What helped you put it all together?
Read through a wealth of information on Myofascial Release and associated bodywork on my website, www.MyofascialResource.com
Add comment April 23rd, 2010
I want to send out a thanks to all of the folks in Anchorage and Seward Alaska who made my recent visit a success. All of the folks at Providence Alaska made for an excellent weekend of learning and exchange. My wife and I found beautiful surroundings and warm hearts in all that we met. I hope you’ll bring me back next year (another moose-burger would be on my to-do list)!
Add comment April 14th, 2010
A study has been published by the Annals of Internal Medicine that directly pertains to Myofascial Release treatment. This study, with over 3000 participants, demonstrated a positive correlation between having a leg length discrepancy, or one leg longer than the other, and the prevalence of osteoarthritis in the knee.
Older studies have shown that the majority of leg length discrepancies are due to asymmetries in the pelvis, rather than true leg length differences. An asymmetrical pelvis can often be corrected with the skilled application of Myofascial release treatment. With studies such as this, identifying and correcting pelvic asymmetries becomes even more important for the general public. While follow up studies as necessary to validate these findings, early intervention is crucial.
The study group was in the 50-79 age range, when arthritic changes have already become apparent. Identifying at-risk individuals at an earlier age should be a standard medical screening. Referral to an appropriated health practitioner for evaluation and treatment simple and cost effective way to reduce the pain that can result from osteoarthritis of the knees and reduce the need for total knee replacements. read through this study at the Research page of my website: MyofascialResource.com (article #215)
2 comments April 2nd, 2010
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