Recognizing myofascial pelvic pain in the female patient with chronic pelvic pain.

Myofascial pelvic pain (MFPP) is a major component of chronic pelvic pain (CPP) and often is not properly identified by health care providers. The hallmark diagnostic indicator of MFPP is myofascial trigger points in the pelvic floor musculature that refer pain to adjacent sites. Effective treatments are available to reduce MFPP, including myofascial trigger point release, biofeedback, and electrical stimulation. An interdisciplinary team is essential for identifying and successfully treating MFPP

Muscle Spasticity and Its Interaction with Myofascial System of Children with Central Paresis

Traditionally, the problem of muscle spasticity was considered by experts as a kind of local problem associated with the inhibition or traumatisation of the central motor neuron in a certain part of its path. According to this approach, only the first stage of the causal relationship of the two systems was reflected: the nervous and the muscular systems. In the following, intrasystem relations of the muscle and muscle complex appeared according to the type of harmonization or destructivization of the activity of this system. To resolve this problematic situation, the article examines the original theory of Thomas V. Myers about “anatomical trains” or “myofascial meridians” as an integral musculoskeletal system of the human body, which forms the basis of its anatomy and motor activity. Key ideas of tensegrity as a structure of balanced compression-tension of the musculoskeletal system are identified, and it is necessary to rush to the targets, carrying out the correction of motor disorders of the tender age children with paresis of central type by means of physical education. For deeper understanding of the activities of these mechanisms of children myofascial status harmonization, the main myofascial lines were briefly characterized: surface back line, surface frontal line, lateral line, spiral line, arm lines. On this basis, working hypothesis was formulated as for using the holistic myofascial system capabilities of the child's body to correct both the tonic state of individual spastic muscles and to improve the general children motor status. To check the formulated hypothesis, the directions of the implementation of correctively directed physical education of tender age children with central paresis of different localization levels were indicated. An attempt was made to use the basic knowledge of the myofascial meridians functioning to increase the efficiency of diagnosing the state of musculoskeletal formations of children with spastic paresis, developing strategies and tactics for correcting their tonic state, methods and techniques for adjusting the balance of compression and tension of these structures to improve children motor activity and to improve the efficiency of their basic motor regimes mastering. There was made a fundamental conclusion that the correctional work by means of physical education should be preceded by preparatory work aimed at normalization of the whole myofascial system of a child with a spastic type of movement disorders, which can be carried out using purely medical techniques and the techniques based on the means of children physical education. Prospects of the scientific and practical development of the problem indicated in this article are highlighted separately

Myofascial Trigger Points in Children With Tension-Type Headache: A New Diagnostic and Therapeutic Option

The goal of this pilot study was to evaluate the effect of a trigger point–specific physiotherapy on headache frequency, intensity, and duration in children with episodic or chronic tension-type headache. Patients were recruited from the special headache outpatient clinic. A total of 9 girls (mean age 13.1 years; range, 5-15 years) with the diagnosis of tension-type headache participated in the pilot study from May to September 2006 and received trigger point–specific physiotherapy twice a week by a trained physiotherapist. After an average number of 6.5 therapeutic sessions, the headache frequency had been reduced by 67.7%, intensity by 74.3%, and duration by 77.3%. No side effects were noted during the treatment. These preliminary findings suggest a role for active trigger points in children with tension-type headache. Trigger point–specific physiotherapy seems to be an effective therapy in these children. Further prospective and controlled studies in a larger cohort are warranted

Myofascial Release

Fascia represents an intricate system of connective tissue that permeates throughout the human body. Its matrix of continuous fibers support, protect, divide and suspend both superficial and deep anatomical structures. While once thought to be a passive mesh network, new evidence suggests fascia is much more complicated. Now recognized as an active physiological component of the human body, myofascial health and function has been given much attention clinically. Of the techniques aimed to treat and restore fascial structure and function, myofascial release has been found to promote stability, increase range of motion and most importantly alleviate musculoskeletal pain. This form of soft tissue therapy deserves more academic and clinical attention for its positive effects on the fascial health

The Pairing of Trigger Point Dry Needling with Rehabilitation Techniques

Trigger point dry needling is a manual treatment modality used for individuals experiencing tightness, pain, and inhibited range of motion in any region of the body. Dry needling can be described as the insertion of a blunt, microfilament non-medicated needle into the skin for the purpose of targeting specific muscles, which contain tight bands known as trigger points. When the needle is inserted into the trigger point the muscle contracts, holds tight to the needle, and elicits a neural twitch response. This ultimately causes the muscle to relax, allowing for reduction in pain and improvements in range of motion. Although the use of dry needling is rising in popularity in the United States, knowledge of its use and effects is limited. Fortunately, more research is being conducted on this form of treatment. In this thesis, the purpose and physiological effects of dry needling will be discussed in detail, along with a comparison between other alternate medical modalities of treatment which target trigger points. In addition, current research on the effectiveness of incorporating dry needling with other manual therapeutic modalities will be discussed. Dry needling has been shown to be very effective in treating trigger points by improving range of motion, decreasing pain, reducing muscle tightness, and increasing muscle oxygenation. Positive effects of dry needling are even more likely to occur when paired with other modes of therapeutic treatment, often in a physical therapy setting but may also be performed by other health professionals including chiropractors, athletic trainers, occupational therapists, and physicians

Foam Rolling as a Warm-up: The Effect on Lower Extremity Flexibility Compared to Aerobic and Stretching Protocols

Foam rolling has recently become popular in the realms of athletic training, strength and conditioning, and fitness enthusiasts as a means to decrease stiffness, improve flexibility, and manage pain . However, little is known about the physiological effects of foam rolling or its role in improving flexibility pre- or post-exercise. The purpose of this project is to examine and compare the effects of foam rolling, aerobic cycling, and stretching on lower extremity flexibility. Nineteen participants (10 female, 9 male) volunteered to test sit-and-reach flexibility after performing four different warm-up protocols on different days. The warm-up protocols were: Foam Rolling for five minutes, aerobic cycling for five minutes, stretching for five minutes, or lying supine for five minutes (control). A one-way repeated measures ANOVA test was used to determine significant difference (p \u3e 0.05) compared to the control group. Results indicate that foam rolling, cycling, and stretching significantly improved lower body sit-and-reach scores over the control. No significant differences were found between protocols

Effects of Myofascial Release and Dynamic Warm-up on Exercise Performance

Color poster with text, tables, and graphs.The purpose of this study was to compare the use of foam-rolling to dynamic warm-up on flexibility, power, speed, endurance, and balance in young recreationally active adults.University of Wisconsin--Eau Claire Office of Research and Sponsored Programs

Muscle force is determined also by muscle relative position: isolated effects

Effects on force of changes of the position of extensor digitorum longus muscle (EDL) relative to surrounding tissues were investigated in rat. Connective tissue at the muscle bellies of tibialis anterior (TA), extensor hallucis longus (EHL) and EDL was left intact, to allow myofascial force transmission. The position of EDL muscle was altered, without changing EDL muscle–tendon complex length, and force exerted at proximal and distal tendons of EDL as well as summed force exerted at the distal tendons of TA and EHL muscles (TA+EHL) were measured. Proximal and distal EDL forces as well as distal TA+EHL force changed significantly on repositioning EDL muscle.\ud \ud These muscle position–force characteristics were assessed at two EDL lengths and two TA+EHL lengths. It was shown that changes of muscle force with length changes of a muscle is the result of the length changes per se, as well as of changes of relative position of parts of the muscle. It is concluded that in addition to length, muscle position relative to its surroundings co-determines isometric muscle force.\ud \ud Keywords: Intermuscular and extramuscular connective tissue; Myofascial force transmission; Rat m. extensor digitorum longus (EDL); Sarcomere length; Muscle relative positio

Fibromyalgia: A Unifying Neuroendocrinologic Model for Understanding Its Pathophysiology

Fibromyalgia is believed to affect at least 2% of the population. Despite advances in the scientific understanding of the derangements of central and peripheral pain processing mechanisms in fibromyalgia, no current models of its pathophysiology account for the other clinical conditions associated with it such as fatigue, migraine headache, irritable bowel syndrome, and sleep cycle abnormalities. A neuroendocrinologic model of fibromyalgia is presented that accommodates both its known central and peripheral pain mechanisms as well as the myriad of hormonal, visceral, and psychological symptoms associated with that disorder. This model also provides a unifying pathophysiologic basis of fibromyalgia and chronic muscle pain, and offers the potential for developing new avenues of research and treatment for these enigmatic, frequently disabling medical conditions

The acute effects of two different self-myofascial release products on the calf muscle pump and plantar flexion ankle range of motion

textBackground: Massage can promote healing and recovery following exercise. (Carefelli et al. 1992). Barnes (1990) proposed that myofascial release helps to break up fibrotic fascial adhesions that may restrict joint range of motion (ROM). Self-myofascial release (SMR) is a type of massage that uses a roller and an individuals body weight to produce massage like loading over a specific anatomical area. Viscoelastic properties of muscle tissue extensibility increase during an acute bout (15 minutes) of massage-like loading (Haas et al 2012). Self-massage on the calves reduced pain and edema of the calves on nurses after an 8.5-hour work shift (Oh and Yoon 2008). Increasing blood flow through skeletal muscle will lead to increased oxygen delivery, which can increase healing and return to homeostasis post-exercise. Different shapes and densities of SMR rollers may produce different outcomes (Johansson 1962, Curran et al. 2012). Hypothesis: TP Footballer will have a greater effect on popliteal artery blood flow volume and ankle ROM vs. the SPRI® foam roller. Methods: N = 21 subjects (10 male 11 female; 18-27). No current lower extremity injury (within one year). No exercise 48 hours prior to data collection. Exercise was defined as any rigorous physical activity lasting 30 minutes or longer. Subjects rested prone 20 minutes. Resting BF and AD measurements were taken with an 8-13 MHz probe via Sonosite Micromaxx Doppler Ultrasound. Ankle ROM taken with a goniometer (mean of 3x). Statistics: Two-way repeated measure ANOVA and Bonferroni test was used to compare pre-test and post-test measures across both treatment conditions with two types of rollers. The α level was set at 0.05. Results: No significant increases found using the SPRI® foam roller on variables of BF Volume, TAP and ROM in plantar flexion. Significant increases found with arterial diameter. Significant increases using the TP Therapy Products Footballer® on variables of: ROM in plantar flexion, blood flow volume, arterial diameter Conclusion: SPRI® foam roller and TP Footballer® significantly increased popliteal arterial diameter. The TP Therapy Products Footballer® increased blood flow volume immediately following TP Therapy Soleus Protocol. TP Therapy Products Footballer® increased ankle plantar flexion immediately following TP Therapy Soleus Protocol.Kinesiology and Health Educatio