Chapter 9 Inhibitory Techniques: Self-Myofascial Release Flashcards
Inhibitory Techniques:
Self-Myofascial Release
Learning objectives
Understand and explain the rationale for the use of self-myofascial release techniques. Be familiar with different self-myofascial release modalities and their uses. Apply self-myofascial release techniques using a foam roller to assist in inhibiting overactive myofascial tissue.
Introduction
The first phase in the Corrective Exercise Continuum Figure 9. 1 is to inhibit.
More specifically, the term inhibits refers to decreasing the overactivity of neuromyofascial tissue. The primary technique used here is a self-myofascial release(SMR), although many other manual techniques are also used (positional release, myopractic, soft tissue release, active release, joint mobilization, and so forth).
Self-myofascial release
A flexibility technique used to inhibit overactive muscle fibers.
Self-Myofascial Release and the
Cumulative Injury Cycle
It is essential for the health and fitness professional to understand that poor posture and repetitive movements can create dysfunction within the connective tissue of the human movement system ( 9 – 16 ). This dysfunction is treated by the body as an injury and will initiate a repair process termed the cumulative injury.
Any trauma to the tissue of the body creates inflammation. Inflammation, in turn, activates the body’s pain receptors and initiates a protective mechanism, increasing muscle tension and causing muscle spasm. These muscle spasms are not like a calf
Davis’s law
States that soft tissue will the model along the lines of stress.
Relative flexibility
The phenomenon of the human movement system seeking the path of least resistance during functional movement patterns (or movement compensation).
Scientific Rationale for
Self-Myofascial Release
SMR can be used for two primary reasons:
- To alleviate the side effects of active or latent trigger points
- To influence the autonomic nervous system
Autogenic inhibition
Inhibition of the muscle spindle resulting from the Golgi tendon organ stimulation.
Gamma loop
The reflex arc consisting of the small anterior horn nerve cells and their small fibers that project to the intrafusal bundle and produce its contraction, which initiates the afferent impulses that pass through the posterior root to the anterior horn cells, inducing, in turn, reflex
contraction of the entire muscle.
Self-Myofascial Release and Influencing the
Autonomic Nervous System
Neuromechanically, these effects are significant to help decrease the overall effects of stress (emotional or physical) on the human movement system:
◆ Increasing vasodilation, the tissue can receive adequate amounts of oxygen and nutrients as well as the removal of waste byproducts (via blood) to facilitate tissue recovery and repair. Healthy tissue may be less predisposed to alter muscle recruitment patterns that may cause injuries ( 25 ).
◆ Changing the viscosity of the tissue allows for better tissue dynamics, which may provide better overall muscle contraction and joint motion.
◆ Decreasing sympathetic tone reduces the prolonged faulty contraction of muscle tissue that can lead to the cumulative injury cycle ( 6 , 13 ).
Self-Myofascial Release and Influencing the
Autonomic Nervous System
Affecting respiration can lead to better oxygen content in blood as well as
decrease feelings of anxiety and fatigue ( 26 ). It has been noted that faulty
breathing patterns (shallow chest breathing versus proper diaphragmatic
breathing) can alter carbon dioxide and oxygen content of blood, which
perpetuates dysfunctional breathing and leads to synergistic dominance of
secondary breathing muscles ( 26 ).
The Effects of Tissue Pressure
Figure 9. 6 demonstrates the integrated process involved in tissue changes. Sustained or slow tissue pressure stimulates mechanoreceptors that send information to the central and autonomic nervous systems. In turn, the central nervous system response changes the muscle tonus (or decreases hypertonicity) in skeletal muscle. The autonomic nervous system response also changes global muscle tonus as well as fluid dynamics to decrease viscosity and the tonus of the smooth muscle cells located in the fascia.
SELF-MYOFASCIAL RELEASE TOOLS
ROLLERS (CYLINDRICAL)
BALLS
HANDHELD ROLLERS
INSTRUMENT-ASSISTED SOFT TISSUE MOBILIZATION
SMR to Low Back with Instrument Assisted Device
SMR to Neck Region with Instrument Assisted Device
VIBRATION OR PERCUSSION DEVICES
PRECAUTIONS AND CONTRAINDICATIONS
see chart
Anyone using SMR techniques should follow the same precautionary measures as those established for massage or myofascial release. As is the case with any form of exercise, an appropriately licensed medical professional should be consulted for further information and direction. SMR should be cautioned or avoided by people with congestive heart failure, kidney failure, or any organ failure such as the liver and pancreas, bleeding disorders, and contagious skin conditions ( 28 ). If a client has cancer, you should consult with the physician before using SMR because under certain circumstances such treatments should not be applied. For example, sometimes massage, pressure, or tension can damage the tissue that is fragile from chemotherapy or radiation treatments ( 28 ). Other contraindications for SMR are shown in the following table. ( 4, 29 ).
