Before assessing your client’s fascia, play with it to get a feel for it. This is easy with the superficial fascia. Start by picking up the skin on your own hand and then lifting it in multiple places as you work up your forearm. The skin pulls up easily in some areas and is more […]
B. Assessment of Myofascia Read More »
Technique 66: Crossed-Hand Stretch Cross your forearms and place your hands with your fingers pointing in opposite directions on the area in focus. Use the heels of your palms, palms, and fingers to engage the tissue and take the slack out of the fascia. One forearm and one hand might also be used. Hold the
G. Techniques 66 to 70 Read More »
While the focus here is on certain myofascial techniques, note that Swedish massage and many other massage and bodywork methods also affect the fascia. Myofascial techniques are applied in specific ways to take advantage of the thixotropic, viscoelastic, and piezoelectric properties of connective tissue to reduce myofascial restrictions and promote pain-free and balanced motion. The
A. Effects of Myofascial Techniques Read More »
Fascia has more ground substance than other forms of connective tissue, which causes it to move easily between a sol and gel state when manipulated by massage techniques. The superficial layer of fascia is often compared to a knit sweater that wraps the entire body to explain how fascia links all body regions together. Tension
Connective tissue is widely distributed throughout the body and, in various forms, creates the body’s supportive network. Types of connective tissue include fascia, bone, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, joint capsules, the periosteum of bones, blood, and adipose tissue. This section focuses on fascia, the type of connective tissue that plays many essential functions in the body
B. Connective Tissue Read More »
You already know much about muscle structure and function from anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology classes. Important here is the basic structure of skeletal muscles. In skeletal muscles, thousands of long, cylinder-shaped fibers called myofibers (muscle fibers) lie parallel to one another. Myofibers are made up of very fine fibers called myofibrils that run lengthwise and
As the name suggests, deep tissue massage (also called deep pressure massage) is directed at the deeper myofascial structures of the body. Deep tissue massage is not really an independent system or even a separate technique. It is better described as a way to approach soft-tissue structures. At any time, and during any massage, a
Lesson 20-3: Deep Tissue Approaches Read More »
This section explores massage techniques, often called myofascial release, which work directly with fascia to promote pain-free movement and postural balance. The effects of myofascial techniques on the body are described along with general assessment techniques for identifying myofascial restrictions, guidelines for applying myofascial techniques, specific techniques for reducing myofascial restrictions, and integrating myofascial work
Lesson 20-2: Myofascial Techniques Read More »
Muscle and fascia are intimately associated. Understanding fascia broadens our perspective on how balanced or unbalanced movement occurs and how patterns of tension emerge and influence both the local and distal regions of the body. It is impossible to contract muscle tissue without involving connective tissue. It is impossible to massage a muscle without massaging
Lesson 20-1: Myofascia Read More »
The term myofascia comes from myo (from the Greek mys), meaning muscle, and the Latin word fascia, meaning a bandage. This chapter investigates the inseparable nature of muscle and fascia and explores ways to manipulate myofascia for greater freedom of movement, increased muscular balance, reduced pain, and better overall health. Myofascial techniques and deep tissue
Lesson 20-0: Introduction Read More »
Interactive and engaging digital textbooks and online continuing education for the 21st century massage therapist.