GETTING A GRIP

Musculoskeletal pain is a common issue across the population; but for athletes and performers, unless treated successfully, it can create vulnerability and stiffness, which can further affect stability, function and ultimately, sports performance.

- CHITMAN KANWAR AHUJA

Myofascial Release (MFR) is a manual therapy that involves exposing the myofascial complex to long periods of high-pressure stretches, which help regain optimal muscle length, decrease pain, and improve function. Postural muscles demand more oxygen to maintain sustainability of different bodily functions, whilst phasic muscles prefer burning glucose for fuel. When tension, trauma and poor body mechanics reduce the amount of oxygen to the postural muscles, they get fatigued and the gravitational load shifts to the phasic musculature. Unfortunately, phasic muscles have a greater number of fast-twitch fibres, and do not respond well to prolonged overloading. As a result, they begin to shift the load back to the already exhausted postural muscles.

The fascial network around the muscles is then recruited to create a splinting effect, cascading throughout the entire network, and affecting every other cell in the body. Eventually, injured muscle cells break down, causing a release of calcium and histamines. Calcium normally reacts with adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to produce muscle contraction, which in turn promotes the release of energy. However, in an already constricted tissue this combination creates painful contractions and muscular spasms.

Myofascial Release is a relatively new addition to the armamentarium of physiotherapists. As, it is somewhat different from traditional physical therapy, many individuals exposed to it ask questions such as, “What is it?” and “How does it work?”.

Herein, experts and therapists talk of the Massage-Myofascial Release therapy that reduces the pain sensitivity of tender points, in patients with fibromyalgia.

Release of fascial restrictions in such patients also reduces anxiety levels, and improves sleep quality and physical functions. Massage-Myofascial programs can be considered as an alternative and/or complementary therapy that promises to deliver noticeable improvements.