Relief from Pain: The Missing Link in Body Work. Myofascial Release for Chronic Tension

by Jane O’Brien, PT, MSPT |

Imagine having neck and shoulder pain day after day. You decide to see your doctor to find out what is wrong. He examines you and finds nothing abnormal. He sends you for an MRI, which also shows nothing wrong. They send you to traditional physical therapy for hot packs, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, joint mobilizations, stretches and strengthening and home exercises. You get minor relief but nothing significant. You are ready to just accept that this how you will feel forever.

What if there was something wrong in your body that MRI’s and Xrays cannot measure? What if there was a treatment that exists which could give you the answers and help you seek relief? What could it be?
Myofascial Release and Myofascial Unwinding

Many car accident victims will report not having a memory of anything after being hit. They have no idea how the car ended up across the road, wrapped around a pole. This is a phenomenon where one goes into a state of disassociation at the moment of trauma to survive. The physical and psychological memory imprints the trauma into our mind/body awareness. Our autonomic nervous system goes into a state of hyper arousal and exhausts us.

Myofascial Release and myofascial unwinding can help resolve this state of disassociation. Fascia is connective tissue, which extends without interruption from the top of the head to the tip of the toes. It surrounds and infuses every tissue, organ, nerve, blood vessel, muscle and bone down to the cellular level. Because fascia permeates all regions of the body and is all interconnected, when it scars and hardens in one area (following injury, inflammation, disease, surgery, etc.), it can put tension on adjacent pain-sensitive structures, as well as on structures in far-away areas.

Some people have bizarre pain symptoms that appear to be unrelated to the original or primary complaint. These symptoms can now often be understood in relationship to our understanding of the fascial system. Myofascial unwinding ( the movement aspect of Myofascial Release), guides the patient into positions of past trauma so he or she can heal. Tissue memory releases the instinctual bracing patterns and deactivates the freeze response. The release of tissue memory allows the patient to return to consciousness, become grounded and progress toward health.

Myofascial Release is great for neck and shoulder pain. When a person sits at the desk for long periods of time, stressed by their work or their positioning, the body tenses and contracts. It may seem that the shoulders are being sucked up into one’s ears. Myofascial release can offset that chronic holding pattern and allow for softening of the shoulder girdles.

A common complaint of the lower body is hip pain, pelvic pain and discomfort with intercourse. Surgeries, traumas and prolonged labor can cause the pelvic floor muscles to tighten and scar. Hip motions may feel restricted. Myofascial release can help relieve tension of the pelvic floor, hips, abdomen and back. A byproduct may be improved bladder health and orgasm potential.

Many patients today are diagnosed with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. It is theorized that many of these people are really suffering from a tight fascial system. Pain from a trauma or surgery can cause one to tighten and guard the painful area. This tension can lead to more pain and more guarding which leads to more pain. This becomes a a chronic cycle until an intervention can break it. Myofascial release has been shown to be a highly effective form of relief for these tension so called syndromes.

Myofascial release is great for:

• Back pain
• Jaw pain
• Headaches
• TMJ
• Fibromyalgia
• Chronic fatigue
• Sciatica
• Disc problems

And pelvic floor issues such as :

• Pelvic pain,
• Urinary incontinence
• Infertility
• Post mastectomy
• Painful intercourse
• Endometriosis
• Menstrual pain
• Tailbone pain
• Painful breast implants

References:

1. A Headache in the Pelvis. Wise, D. Anderson, R. National Center for Pelvic Pain, 2003
2. Complementary Therapies in Rehab: Evidence for Efficacy in Therapy, Prevention and Wellness. Second Edition, Davis, C. Chapter 5 “Myofascial Release: The Missing Link in Traditional Treatment.” John F. Barnes, PT p 59-81.
3. “ Without Awareness, There is No Choice!” Barnes, J. PT,OT,Speech Today, Vol. 6, No. 14 “ Fibromyalgia.” Barnes,J. PT, OT, Speech Today, Vol 6, No. 14.

For more info, contact North Tahoe Physical Therapy at (775) 831-6600.