MFR) therapists believe that it is fast gaining recognition as the missing link in traditional healthcare. It is pioneered and championed in the US by A Physical Therapist called John F, Barnes who has trained over 50,000 therapists in his approach.
Myofascial (pronounced Myo fashal ) is derived from the Latin words 'myo' for muscle and 'fascia' for band. Fascia, sometimes called fibrous bands or connective tissue, is a 3D continuous web of microscopic hollow tubules that extends without interruption from the top of the head to the tip of the toes. Within these hollow tubules are continuous fibres of elastin and collagens surrounded by a fluid called the ground substance. This network also provides the instant and continuous communication between each and every cell of our body that Dr Lazlo describes.
Myofascial Release Therapy is a specialized form of manual treatment that is well suited to the healing of many acute and chronic pain conditions, fibromyalgia, chronic myofascial pain syndrome, movement restrictions, TMJ disorder (Temporomandibular joint disorder), and carpal tunnel syndrome, to name a few.
Myofascial Release is a gentle form of therapy that produces profound effects throughout the body. Myofascial Release addresses restrictions in the connective tissue, or fascia, of the body. The fascia is an extremely tough tissue that surrounds every muscle, bone, organ, nerve, and blood vessel, down to the cellular level. Fascial restrictions can result from accidents, injuries, repetitive stress situations, surgical or traumatic scarring, and abnormal postures. Any of these traumas can cause the fascial tissue to bind down, exerting abnormal pressures and tensions on pain producing structures.
Myofascial Release is a whole-body therapy. Functionally, the fascial system forms a continuous web from head to toe. Injury to any part of the system can have far-reaching effects on other parts of the body. This helps to explain many individuals' seemingly inexplicable combination of pain complaints. Often times, painful symptoms occur in what might be considered unrelated regions of the body. A basic tenet of Myofascial Release is that no part of the body is separate from the other.
The following is a partial list of conditions for which treatment with Myofascial Release techniques is safe and possibly effective:
Fibromyalgia
Chronic myofascial pain syndrome
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Back pain
Neck pain
Poor posture
Sacro-iliac pain
Scoliosis
Headaches-migraine, sinus, or from muscular tension
TMJ (temporomandibular joint dysfunction)
Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
Head trauma
Stroke
Neurologic problems
Spasm/spasticity
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Sports injuries
Restricted range of motion
Scars or scar tissue from injuries or surgeries
Plantar fasciitis
Myofascial Release Therapy is a specialised physical therapy that affects and releases the restrictions within the fascial network.
The therapy is considered an art form by its practitioners. The MFR therapist not only takes in to consideration what they see in the patient’s postural assessment but works directly with what they feel and sense from palpating and treating the body.
Even though the patient may not feel much happening the experienced Therapist can actually feel the fascial restrictions, where they go to and subsequently feels the release of those restrictions during the session.
*However the facts are that myofascial restrictions can't be detected with standard medical imaging studies, such as X-rays or MRIs. In addition, there have been no published trials that have evaluated myofascial release therapy as a treatment for chronic back pain. For these reasons, myofascial release therapy for back pain is not widely accepted in the medical community. However, many physical therapists and massage therapists use such techniques, and anecdotal evidence suggests that myofascial release therapy may relieve back pain in some people. Also, results of a recent Mayo Clinic study, published in 2008 in the Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, suggest that myofascial release may be as effective as acupuncture in relieving chronic pain. However, large-scale trials are needed to confirm these findings and to evaluate the potential benefit of myofascial release therapy in treating back pain.
So if you have been told that myofascial release therapy may be good for your back pain, always consult a therapist who has training in such techniques. Because as with many other treatments for chronic back pain, myofascial release may benefit some people but not all.
