Athletic Advantage

Physical Therapy

Myofascial Release

Myofascial Release is the therapeutic treatment of the non-elastic tissue that three-dimensionally surrounds and integrates all tissues of the body. The myofascial tissue commonly thickens and becomes restricted from injury, inflammation or disease. The myofascial tissue for example, is similar to the jell-o in a jell-o salad. The jell-o represents the myofascial tissue and all the other ingredients resemble various bodily components such as organs, muscle, tendon, blood vessels and nerve structures. The facial system can exert approximately 2000 pounds per square inch of compressive force on pain sensitive soft tissue structures.

Myofascial Release is an effective hands-on approach to treat the myofascial system to release these soft tissue adhesions, to eliminate pain and restore motion, circulation and tissue elasticity.

MYOFASCIAL RELEASE I:

Introduction to Myofascial Release, or MFR:

Purpose: The first course of John F. Barnes’ Myofascial Release Approach is learning and understanding the principles of MFR.

Components: www.myofascialrelease.com

  • Learning the basic principles of cross hand release techniques
  • These techniques include:
    • Scar release
    • J-stroke
    • Bear claw
    • Arm and leg pull traction
    • Release of transverse planes
    • Decompression of the pelvis and low back
    • Cervical/neck release
    • Craniosacral release and rhythm

MYOFASCIAL RELEASE II:

Purpose: Myofascial Release II builds on the principles of MFR I. This advanced course introduces areas that target commonly restricted areas as related to posture, headaches and the cervical spine.

Components:

  • Treatment Areas
    • Release restrictions in the hips and thigh
    • Correct pelvic asymmetries related to tightness
    • Release tension in the thoracic spine, rib cage, chest and upper back
    • Release muscular tension in the cervical spine
    • Release fascial tension over the skull
    • Release fascial restrictions inside the mouth and jaw

Goals of Treatment:

  • Release of fascial restrictions will aid in development of strength and stability
  • Increasing flexibility will heighten mobility in the legs and thigh to elevate performance
  • Increase exercise performance for core strength that is limited by fascial restrictions
  • Fascial release over the skull to reduce headaches and TMJ pain

MYOFASCIAL RELEASE and TREATMENT of the PELVIS and SACRUM

Purpose: The pelvis and sacrum make up the core foundation of our bodies. Fascial tightness in the pelvis increases low back stress and pain. Asymmetries in the pelvis and sacrum are the cause of tightness in the hamstrings, hip flexors and deep hip rotators. This muscular tightness compromises our flexibility, makes stretching unproductive and impacts daily and athletic function that often result in chronic pain.

Pelvis and Fascial Influence:

  • Core symmetry and stability is the first step to release fascial tightness
  • The pelvis and the sacrum serve as the foundation of spinal posture
  • Asymmetries of the pelvis and sacrum will create leg length changes
  • Tightness across the hip flexors, hamstrings and I-T band limit flexibility and function across the hip and knee
  • Fascial tightness changes posture

Goals of Treatment:

  • Stabilize the symmetrical posture of the pelvis and sacrum
  • Locate fascial tightness that limit postural correction
  • Exercise instruction for stretching and stabilizing to release restricted tissue
  • Teaching how athletic posture will minimize lower back stress

MYOFASCIAL RELEASE and treatment of the CERVICAL and THORACIC SPINE

Purpose: The goal to understanding pain and tightness in the upper back and neck is realizing all the factors that influence posture. Tightness in the shoulders will contribute to tension across the upper back and stress in the neck. This combination leads to limited mobility, chronic pain and possible headaches.

The treating physical therapist must examine the entire spinal posture and pelvic structure to understand all factors that contribute to poor posture. Ultimately it is a persons’ posture that creates stress in the neck and upper back. Simply the presence of muscular tension in the neck and upper back is not the cause but only a symptom of a larger problem. The fascial system is the protective guardian of the human body.

Fascial areas of the neck and back that create restrictions:

  • Fascia of the chest and neck
  • Frontal neck muscles
  • Deep muscles at the base of the skull
  • Fascial tissue of the shoulder blades
  • Fascial tension in the Latissimus dorsi and lower back

Goals of Treatment:

  • Stabilize lumbar posture to release tension in the Latissimus dorsi
  • Release fascial tension in the neck to increase mobility
  • Treat the vertebral conditions in the neck
  • Reduce roundness in the upper back and neck
  • Increase strength and retraction in the shoulder blades
  • Develop exercises for the upper back and neck

REBOUNDING and MYOFASCIAL RELEASE

Purpose: Rebounding is the mechanical process of oscillating fluid or sloshing water through the tissue, limbs and trunk to re-hydrate these areas. Tight fascia will produce 2000 pounds per square inch of pressure on organs, nerves, joints, muscles and limits the flow of fluids. Think of clenching your fist and how blanching occurs in the tissue. Without adequate blood flow, tissue has low oxygen and poor fluid exchange. Over prolonged periods, tissue that lacks oxygen and blood flow may contribute to chronic pain and fibromyalgic symptoms.

Procedure:

Rebounding is commonly applied after myofascial release treatment. Common areas of application:

  • Torso (lower back, trunk, pelvis and sacrum)
  • Limbs
  • Hip and thigh areas
  • Shoulders and upper back

Goals of Treatment:

  • Increase tissue hydration
  • Hydrate areas of tension in fascial tissue
  • Block the subconscious holding patterns in the mind-body phenomena
  • Release skeletal restrictions

UNWINDING of RESTRICTED JOINTS and TISSUE

Purpose: Unwinding is a hands-on process to aid in releasing mental and/or subconscious holding patterns the mind-body employs following an accident or injury. An example of this is the recurring tightness or pain we feel while simply performing daily activities. In this mental state we may not have fully recovered because our subconscious has not processed the event to a positive resolution which interferes with our healing. Unwinding is re-connecting with the event allowing the nervous system to discharge negative energy in a safe and secure manner.

Tissue Response:

The stress associated with an accident or injury is stored in our tissue and subconscious memory. How else can it be explained that when we are in a similar situation; our heart races, we become flush in the face and feel nervous. The situation that causes this physical response is eerily similar to the incident from which we currently suffer.

These concepts and ideas are explained in greater depth by Peter Levine, PhD, titled Waking the Tiger - Healing Trauma. Dr. Levine provides insight into the physiological response of trauma and concepts that trap us in a cycle of suffering.