This study involved a 37 year old female with complaints of abdominal pain, low back pain, headache, TMJ pain and leg pain. A diagnosis of endometriosis was made several years prior. She was awakening two to five times a night and reporting approximately, "Only five good days each month". Within two visits, she reported decreased menstrual cramps and within one month reported no headaches, a 90% reduction of abdominal pain, low back pain, leg pain and only minor TMJ symptoms. She returned eight months later with an increase in low back and leg pain, which was resolved with treatment. One year later, patient was reporting only minor symptoms and was expecting her first child. Much of what was blamed on endometriosis was actually fascial tightness pulling from the abdomen to the TMJ, head and legs.
An eight year old boy presented with daily headaches resulting from a severe concussion a year prior. His mother reported increased irritability and difficulty in school. Myofascial release to his head and neck resolved his headaches completely. His irritability also decreased and eight years later reports no problems with headaches.
A 15 year old girl presented with complaints of rib pain and difficulty breathing (with a previous diagnosis of exercise induced asthma). She had been admitted to the ER four times in the previous weeks because of these symptoms. Myofascial release to the restriction in the ribcage resolved these problems. In addition, patient is now off all asthma medications with the exception of an occasional need for her inhaler.
A 47 year old male was diagnosed with coccyodynia and rectal pain. Patient had reported an onset of pain a year prior following a bending/lifting episode. He had shooting pain in the low back and lower extremities. Patient had extensive chiropractic and physical therapy, which significantly helped his back and leg pain but patient had persistent rector/scrotal pain. He received twelve treatments of myofascial release and upon discharge had only occasional minor symptoms, which were manageable with self treatment.
A 58 year old woman presented with persistent headaches for two weeks prior. She also had pain in the back, neck and shoulder areas rating it at a 10 out of 10 on a pain scale. She had been diagnosed with fibromyalgia six years prior. Patient also had symptoms of chronic constipation and urinary tract infections. After three visits of myofascial release and strain/counterstrain, patient reported 50% reduction in headaches; after nine visits, headaches had totally subsided. Constipation was significantly less and no recurrence of urinary tract infections reported. Patient reported her fibromyalgia symptoms were approximately 50% better.
A 39 year old woman presented with severe upper back pain. Pain started with a gentle tossing motion. Patient was hospitalized for a total of fifteen days, treated with morphine drip and steroid injections. She also had physical therapy but was unable to tolerate any "hands-on" therapy; had been discharged and was using a TENS unit with poor results. Upon evaluation, patient was unable to raise her right upper extremity due to pain. She was unable to lie down or tolerate any pressure or any touch to the back area. Patient had an anterior thoracic scar from a fatty tumor removal, which was pulling into her back causing pain. Patient was treated with forty-five minutes of myofascial release to the scar and thoracic area. Following treatment, patient was able to reach her arms 70 degrees without pain and to tolerate pressure to her back. Patient continued to have treatments and her pain completely resolved.
A 67 year old woman presented with post-operative abdominal wall pain. Patient had an aortic aneurism repair. Since her surgery, she had significant pain throughout the abdomen and low back area. Patient was unable to lift even light objects. She had difficulty driving and was unable to be sexually active due to increase in pain. Patient had eleven visits of strain/counterstrain and myofascial release and was able to drive without discomfort, had a low level of abdominal pain and was able to be sexually active without pain.
In April 1996, William Stauber, PhD, and his colleagues published a study in Muscle and Nerve magazine that showed "striking changes" in the soleus (calf muscle) of female rats after one month of repeated muscle strains.
The animals were subjected to micro trauma three times a week for one month. The results in fast stretched muscles were marked variability in fiber size, evidence of degeneration and regeneration, and a proliferation of connective tissue (fascia). The slow stretched muscles developed fascial struts adjoining adjacent muscle fibers. These changes in the fascial system following repeated trauma is the cause of the thickness or resistance I feel with many of my patients.
The matrix or ground substance that should have a gelatinous consistency has hardened. The connective tissue has expanded, affecting surrounding muscle fibers. It is this proliferation and hardening in the connective tissue that appears to cause many of the pain syndromes that I treat and I believe that the myofasical release addresses these issues.
It is a physical property of the hardened gel to soften with sustained pressure. The pressure also starts a bio electrical flow, which appears to unravel the fascial web and break up the cross links.
My patients feel less tightness and pain as this system returns to its normal consistency. This allows a return of normal movement without the pain associated, especially noted with repetitive movements.
