Myofascial compression therapy
How effective is MCT on the human body?
Introduction
First of all, what is Myofascial compression therapy (MCT) and does it have an immediate effect on the body? Lets start with a short breakdown of the word myofascia. Myo means Muscle and Fascia = everything else. According to Boston, 2007, fascia is defined as: ‘The soft tissue component of the connective tissue system. The fibrous connective tissue, aponeuroses, ligaments, tendons, retinacula, joint capsule, the epineurium, the meninges, periosteal and all the endomysial and intramuscular fibers of myofasia is grouped under this definition. Paoletti, 2006, state that “fascia functions as the body’s first line of defense against pathogenic agents and infection ” (pg.170). Movement restrictions originates within the soft tissue of the body. Travell and Simons, 1999, suggested that the body adapts by laying down myofacsial trigger points (MTrPs). ‘Myofacial trigger points have been found to decrease the range of motion because of pain’, Macdonald, 1980. The good news is that these trigger points can be relieved. If applying MCT techniques and its various approaches can help the body to release these trigger points to adapt and improve athletic performance, increase range of motion and alleviate pain as opposed to doing the regular static stretching, it might be worth exploring.
Witvrouw, E., Mahieu, N., Roosen, P., & McNair, P. (2007). The role of stretching in tendon injuries. British journal of Sports Medicine , 224-226.
Therapeutic stretches of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles. If the ligament are weakened, cross fiber friction them to try to regain some of the integrity of the ankle back.
Pain was significantly increased with flexion and extension. Sensation is decreased in the bilateral upper extremities. Strength is decreased in the bilateral upper extremities.
Graston instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (GITSM) is a tool used by therapist and chiropractors to help break up the scar tissue and replace it with fibroblast allowing for faster recoveries (Black 2010). A series of heat, GISTM, then strength and flexibility training are required (Black 2010). Numerous studies have been conducted, by certified therapist qualified in GISTM, to examine the styles and recovery periods after an injury. After going through the treatment, patients are measured by their range of motion (ROM) to see if the treatments were effective or not (Black 2010). ROM can vary depending on the region of the body that is being treated, but the overall goal of GISTM is to allow a person to get back to their regular routines they had before their injury. A study conducted by Logan College of Chiropractic shows that plantar fasciitis (foot) can be treated by GISTM on the first day of treatment (Daniels and Morrell 2012). Another study by Duke University shows that GISTM can be effective for patients after surgery that had an injury in the Patellar tendon (knee) (Black 2010). After several treatments, GISTM can, also, be used to treat a compression fracture in the lumbar (back) (Papa 2012). Each study shows the method of GISTM, the patient’s recovery period along with the methods of recovery.
Spinal Muscular Atrophy, also known as “SMA” is a genetic and also a motor neuron disease that affects the area of the nervous system that controls your voluntary muscle movements such as walking, crawling, and swallowing. When someone acquires this condition their muscles start to shrink as a cause to the muscles not receiving signals from the nerve cells in the spine that control function. Spinal Muscular Atrophy is a rare but serious condition.
Kinesiology can be defined as the study of mechanics of body movements, so I think that is very important to know the meaning of movement when studying kinesiology. Everything in kinesiology has to do with the movement. Every action the body takes is a movement which is what kinesiology is. You cannot be successful in the field of kinesiology no matter what you are doing if you do not understand what movement is. It is the study of human movement, performance, and function by applying the sciences of biomechanics, anatomy, physiology, and neuroscience. It looks at movement and which muscles are involved to create movement relating to strength exercising and sports technique. Movement is an act of changing physical location or position or of
“The doctor of the future will give no medication, but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, diet and in the cause and prevention of disease” by Thomas A. Edison. Chiropractors use hands-on spinal manipulation and other alternative treatments on the spine which will enable the body to heal itself without surgery or medication. Chiropractic care began in 1895 when its founder, Daniel David Palmer, claimed any and all diseases could be healed by nothing more than just his hands. Dr. Palmer examined a janitor who was deaf for 17 years after the janitor felt his back was out of place, so Dr. Palmer gave an adjustment to what was felt to be a misplaced vertebra in the upper back. The janitor then observed that his hearing improved thanks to Dr. Palmer. Chiropractors use manipulation to restore mobility to joints restricted by tissue injury caused by sitting without proper back support. Chiropractic is primarily used as a pain relief alternative for muscles, joints, bones, and connective tissue, such as cartilage, ligaments, and tendons. About 22 million Americans visit chiropractors annually
Skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscles play a vital role in the everyday processes that allow the human body to function. Without these muscles, everyday tasks and functions could not be conducted. Injury to these muscles could cause serious problems, however, these muscles have the ability to regenerate, repair, and fix multiple problems all by themselves. Repair and regeneration of a muscle are two similar, yet different things. Repair restores muscle continuity so that it can continue to function in the same way as before injury, but does not completely restore the pre-injury structure like regeneration (Huijbregts, 2001). Muscle repair and regeneration take place after an injury, after surgery, after atrophy, and even after working out.
... and can lock the joints in painful positions. Often, teens are fitted with special braces to ensure flexible joints and tendons (the strong, rubber band-like tissues that attach muscles to bones). Surgery is sometimes used to reduce pain and increase movement from contractures.
Recent trends have pointed the continuing promise and growth of massage therapy as a health care career. Applied kinesiology is the scientific study of muscular movement, physical activities and the anatomy, physiology, and mechanics of the movement of body parts. Kinesiology was first created by the American/Italian chiropractor Anthony Gil in Milano, Italy. This relatively new study has many different branches of specialized studies. Many similar goals of kinesiology are to: restore normal nerve functions, have... ...
... dr. Ostelo R., Koes B., van Tulder M. (2010) Exercise Therapy for Chronic Nonspecific Low-Back Pain. Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology vol. 24 pp: 193–204.
PTs have many different treatments that they use on their patients. Massaging and whirlpool baths to loosen and relax muscles are just two of the many treatments PTs perform daily. They also use ice or cold water baths to reduce swelling and heat to relieve pain. One form of strength training that is common for PTs to use is water therapy in exercise pools if the patient cannot walk yet. After a patient’s surgery, their PT will massage the scar tissue to keep it from hardening and making the scar bigger. A PT will work with athletes after an injury so they can regain coordination, strength, endurance, range of motion, and flexibility.
As human beings we are very active creatures. It is very rare we sit absolutely still with no movement at all, in fact to do so would be considered strange in most social contexts. These movements are not however sporadic, they are in fact highly controlled, practiced skills. Even when remaining relatively still, for example, to rest or sleep, we have still been taught the required skills to do so, whether it’s how to sit on a chair or lay on a bed, these are very ordinary, everyday techniques that we take for granted and perceive as something natural, but often they are technique’s we have been taught to do.
in soft tissue mobilization pressure.” Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. April 1999: 531-5.
One additional recovery method is the use of compression garments. Traditionally, compression garments have been used to care for particular lymphatic and circulatory conditions. Researchers have found, however, that this can clothing can have a beneficial effect on athletic performance. A study by A. Ali, M. P. Caine, and B. G. Snow (2007) examining the effect of graduated compression stockings, showed that this clothing can reduce muscle soreness; “During the 10-km trials, there was a reduction in delayed-onset muscle soreness 24 h after exercise when wearing graduated compression stockings” (p. 413). This is a proactive approach at recovery, working to prevent muscle soreness before it occurs, rather than treating it afterward. Currently, there is minimal research demonstrating the recovery benefits of compression clothing, however, there is some evidence supporting the technique with none suggesting any negative