Soft tissue mobilization

What is fascia?

connective tissue found throughout the body

“Keeps everything together”

subcutaneous fascia

the layer of connective tissue located between the skin and the deep fascia

deep fascia

holds muscles and organs in place

fascial dysfunctions 

results from physical trauma, inflammation, infection, postural dysfunction, articular restriction and external/internal body torsion

myofascial pain patterns

myofascial release

a set of soft tissue techniques aimed at relieving soft tissue from abnormal grip of tight fascia (myofascial restriction)

stretches the fascial system of the body

breaking up the fascial adhesions relieves mobility restriction and pain

is myofascial release the same as trigger points?

myofascial trigger points are hyperirritable spots on skeletal muscle associated with hypersensitive palpable nodule in a taut band

they are different, but both can cause myofascial pain patterns

indications

positive findings on myofascial mapping

decreased fascial glide or compromised mobility

joint hypomobility

soft tissue tension

postural deviations

dynamic limitation in range

precautions/contraindications

systemic disorder

malignancy

nonunion fracture

cardiopulmonary impairment

identifying fascial dysfunction

one hand on fulcrum; other hand adjacent to it

light gliding/sliding motion applied in a medial lateral direction, superior/inferior direction and clockwise/counterclockwise 

restrictions are detected due to lack of tissue mobility and treated systemically. fulcrum hand stays in central location

myofascial spreading

indirect technique

• affects subcutaneous fascia

• releases local restrictions

procedure for myofascial spreading

hands are placed side by side over the affected area and then pulled apart

tissues are spread until the resistance is felt

tension maintained until the resistance yields

ex: cervical spine or low back

myofascial mobilization

direct technique

directly pushing on the tissue (hyper irritated band or trigger point)

progression

proximal → distal

static postural dysfunction → dynamic postural dysfunction

most severe postural dysfunction → least severe postural dysfunction

soft tissue MFR → articular MFR

what are other tools to assist with myofascial release?

foam rollers

direct technique to release myofascial…