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Deep tissue, myofascial release and assisted stretching routines are
effectively employed to
release and lengthen hypertonic muscles, while
fast-paced spindle techniques with fists and fingers,
tone the weak phasics. Because hypertonic muscles create, and inhibited muscles permit
asymmetry in the skeletal system, other structures tend to quickly become
involved in the chronic pain cycle. For example, myoskeletal therapists
typically treat pain generators such as hypermobile ligaments with rapid
friccioning maneuvers to encourage fibroblast formation, while hypomobile
ligaments are released with deep, sustained digital or elbow pressure.
The Myoskeletal method also emphasizes the importance of restoring
“joint play” to the facet capsule. This is accomplished by first
releasing hypertonic 4th layer spinal muscles, such as the multifidus,
rotatores, and intertransversarii, and then focusing treatment on the
swollen capsules that cause joint locks. These two often neglected soft
tissue structures like to combine forces to lock spinal facet joints
opened or closed creating inhibition in the muscles that cross the joint
(Hilton’s Law).
We are often unaware of the devastating consequences joint
lesions can have on muscle tone. Any alteration in joint function caused
by loss of joint play or capsular restriction also affects the muscles
that cross the dysfunctional joint either in an inhibitory or facilitator
way.
After lengthening and balancing the long and short lever muscles,
Myoskeletal therapists are trained to assess and correct myofascial joint
locks with the use of slow digital pressure to the soft tissue capsule. The
Myoskeletal method is a non-force mobilization system that never takes the
joint into a non-physiologic range of motion and is not a substitute for
chiropractic or osteopathic high velocity treatments.
 Facet and sacroiliac joint
capsules are actually soft connective tissues, therefore, myofascial
therapists are easily trained to re-focus their “intent” to the
missing myofascial layer.….the joint capsule!
Because this capsule, like ligaments, thickens with age and abuse, more
holistic back pain relief is possible when including this structure into
the treatment protocol.
Experienced therapists are well
aware of the intimate connection between the myofascial and skeletal
system--what affects one always affects the other. Since deep tissue work
to intrinsic musculature always alters function in the bony framework. |