Myofascial release
London, 21/11/2013
Run by the 'Jing Institute' in Brighton, this was a brief intro to the principles of myofascial techniques.
I signed up to this course just because I wanted to get some input on these techniques. I had looked at them before in osteopathic technique books, and figured it would be good to get some hands on stuff.
Most of the participants were of a massage therapist background, but I found out quickly that all of what we did would be very suitable for osteopathic practice, too. Half the time of the course was spent introducing us to some basic fascia research - all of which I knew from working on my dissertation or even first hand from my conversation with Dr Schleip. Nonetheless, this little refresher couldn't do any harm. As you can see in the video on the right, the two ladies run their institute with a passion, which made the evening quite entertaining, too. My real highlight, however, were the techniques. Based on a few principles, I guess I can now adapt them to any area of the body: direct engagement with the barrier - the key here is continuous palpation and a little patience for the tissues to allow you to go further. Interesting here were some of the applicators: fingertips and thenar eminence were my favourites. I must say I have a hesitance to use my elbow. One, because I think it's a little impolite to the patient and second, because I can't feel anything with it. I wouldn't use my knee either, just because it's strong. The second approach: indirect stuff, and that was very similar to things I've done before. After tonight I am looking forward to getting into clinic again and try some of these techniques. |
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Update: 02/03/2014
I just remembered that it would be nice to re-evaluate how useful these techniques were to me in clinic. Surprise: Massively useful!
On lower back pain patients, for example, I often found the tissues around the L/S to be adhered, and careful release with both hands into a lateral direction almost always did y great job in preparing the tissues for further treatment. I sometimes adapted that technique to the TLF attachment to the iliac crest, an area where I think the cluneal nerves might often be overlooked (Yes, google that!)... Or not, but at least it's often very tender.
For the thoracic spine I found a 'pinching' technique for the subdermal fascia to have quite an effect on underlying joint mobility - a good preparation for more difficult HVT's.
And then, my all-time and self-designed favourite; I call it 'fascial tracing', whereby you run along the myofascial meridians with your reinforced thumb, palpating the direction of tension and following the structure. Often you'll find that what you started on the ITB will lead you via the gluteal fascia up to the contralateral lat dorsi. Sometimes, however, it feels like you should stay on one side. Then I just do that. As you can see, that course really got me to play around a little - a good thing, I should think!
I just remembered that it would be nice to re-evaluate how useful these techniques were to me in clinic. Surprise: Massively useful!
On lower back pain patients, for example, I often found the tissues around the L/S to be adhered, and careful release with both hands into a lateral direction almost always did y great job in preparing the tissues for further treatment. I sometimes adapted that technique to the TLF attachment to the iliac crest, an area where I think the cluneal nerves might often be overlooked (Yes, google that!)... Or not, but at least it's often very tender.
For the thoracic spine I found a 'pinching' technique for the subdermal fascia to have quite an effect on underlying joint mobility - a good preparation for more difficult HVT's.
And then, my all-time and self-designed favourite; I call it 'fascial tracing', whereby you run along the myofascial meridians with your reinforced thumb, palpating the direction of tension and following the structure. Often you'll find that what you started on the ITB will lead you via the gluteal fascia up to the contralateral lat dorsi. Sometimes, however, it feels like you should stay on one side. Then I just do that. As you can see, that course really got me to play around a little - a good thing, I should think!