Myofascial Manipulation
Myofascial Manipulation
What is Myofascial Manipulation Therapy?
Myofascial release therapy is a hands-on technique used to manage myofascial pain. “Myo” means muscle. “Fascial” refers to the connective tissue that covers and supports the muscles throughout your entire body. During myofascial release therapy, your Doctor doesn’t focus specifically on your muscles. They focus on releasing tension in your fascial tissues.
You can think of fascia like a spider web. The stringy tissue is densely woven throughout your muscles, bones, nerves, arteries, veins and organs. Your fascia is one continuous structure throughout your body. Each part of your body is connected to it in some way. That’s why if there’s a snag in the tissue in one part of your body, it can cause pain in another part of your body.
Normally, fascia is flexible and stretchy. But it’s strong. It provides structural support to your body and protects your muscles. Fascia is usually able to move without any restrictions. When your body experiences any kind of trauma, your fascia loses its flexibility. It becomes tightened and more rigid. The tightness can lead to pain and loss of motion, which can affect your quality of life.
Biological Effects and Benefits of Myofascial Manipulation:
- Pain Management
- Increase Functional Mobility
- Increase Flexibility
- Improve Circulation
- Reduce Swelling/Inflammation
- Stress Management
What can Myofascial Manipulation Treat:
- Joint Pains
- Low Back Pain
- Tendinopathies
- Bursitis
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Rotator Cuff Issue
- Myofascial Pain Syndrome
- Trigger Points
- Achilles Tendinopathy
- Patellar Tendinopathy
- Tennis/Golfers Elbow
How does it work?
Your sessions will take place in a private room at our office. Your Doctor will first locate the fascial tissues throughout your body that feel stiff and tight. These areas are commonly called trigger points or knots. Once they find the knots, they’ll apply gentle, sometimes deep, constant pressure to these areas. Your Doctor will use direct contact on your skin. Lotion may be applied at times depending on the target tissue. The Doctor needs to be able to feel the tightness in your fascia. The pressure will be applied slowly, in a specific manner depending on the muscle anatomy, in an attempt to lengthen your fascial tissues. Your Doctor will utilize various techniques to stretch your fascial tissues repeatedly. When they feel the pressure and tension release, they’ll move on. This can sometimes be uncomfortable but it can be adjusted to tolerance.
Note from the Mayo Clinic Physician's
Brent Bauer, MD, Internal Medicine at Mayo Clinic's campus in Rochester, Minnesota.
Myofascial pain may differ from other types of pain because it often originates in "trigger points." Trigger points are stiff areas within the myofascial tissue. The pain that a trigger point causes is often hard to pinpoint, though. The trigger points may not always be near what feels like the source of pain. During myofascial release therapy, the practitioner applies light pressure by hand to find myofascial areas that feel stiff instead of elastic and movable. These stiff areas, or trigger points, are thought to limit muscle and joint movements, which can play a part in widespread muscle pain. The massage and stretching used in myofascial release therapy can help loosen muscles and joints. This may help indirectly ease your back pain.
Current Research
- This one study looked at 375 individuals, which showed that myofascial release significantly improved pain and physical function in patients with Chronic Low Back Pain.
- Another study looked at myofascial manipulation for individuals with neck pain and found that Myofascial release therapy could be better than a standard physical therapy program for improving pain and suboccipital Pressure Pain Threshold in patients with Neck Pain.
- Myofascial Release Therapy resulted in clinically significant improvements in the primary measures of pain, objective mechanical tissue properties, and secondary measures in patients with chronic shoulder pain.
- This study looked at Myofascial Release in patients with Hip Labral Tears and found that patients experienced both statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in posterolateral hip pain and hip-related function. Some patients even experienced reduction in anteromedial hip pain.
Spine
Upper Extremity
Lower Extremity
Neurological
Most reviewed and highest rated Physical Therapy clinic in Macon, Georgia and Bibb County!
Frequently Asked Questions
Myofascial Release can sometimes be uncomfortable when targeting tender and inflamed areas, but your Doctor will make sure you are comfortable and adjust the intensity of the treatment to your tolerance.
Treatment can last anywhere from 5-30 minutes, depending on treatment target.
Typically patients may expect some soreness and mild bruising the initial 2-4 days.
You will want to avoid any strenuous activities the day of treatment. Also avoid putting ice over the treatment area and avoid the use of any anti-inflammatories as they may diminish the effects of the treatment.
You may do light exercise/stretching prescribed by your Doctor of Physical Therapy. The use of heat, bath/epsom salt bath, and hydration is recommended.
Patients typically report feeling fatigued and soreness post treatment for about 2-4 days.
The cost is covered under insurance, and if you don’t have insurance, or if it is an insurance we do not accept, we have self pay rates as well. Please call out office to find out more.
The Myofascial Release Therapy Treatment is performed by our expert Doctors of Physical Therapy who have undergone extensive training.
This is something your doctor will go over with you once they have evaluated you.
You will have access to our Doctors post treatment and may ask to speak to them directly, post treatment.
MVP Physio Dr. is located at 1645 Forest Hill Rd, Suite 105, Macon, GA 31210.
Please call, (478) 960-7077, and either Meghan or Chloe will get you taken care of, answer any questions you may have, and get you scheduled.
New Patient
Don’t become another number on a list at your typical local clinic. Come and get your 1-on-1, full hour, with an expert Doctor of Physical Therapy.
Having neck/low back pain that is chronic or acute, extremity pain, or any pain/limitations with your daily life activities? Then allow us to help you gain back your life and function.