The morphology of fascial connective tissue may play an important role in locomotor mechanics. The connective tissue, more specifically the deep fascia, can impact range of motion in two ways. First, fascia is connected to the underlying muscle along its full peripheral length. Changes in the fascia’s mechanical properties (e.g. altered stiffness) might restrict the
Foam rolling has become a popular self-treatment adjunct to manual therapy. It is prescribed to increase range of motion (ROM) and improve pain tolerance. In particular, foam rolling over the iliotibial band (ITB) is a popular treatment for ITB syndrome, patellofemoral pain syndrome, runner’s knee, and hip bursitis. Past studies demonstrated that foam rolling increases
A study from Brazil published in Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation investigated the acute effects of static stretching on skin temperature, flexibility, passive muscle stiffness, and pain during hamstring stretching in healthy young subjects. Why would this be important? Because if stretching increases skin temperature, then it can be assumed that it increases the temperature of the myofascial tissues. This
Can a “tight” sciatic nerve restrict ankle joint range of motion? If so, nerve mobilization technique should be effective toward increasing dorsiflexion of the ankle joint. It is commonly believed that maximal ankle joint range of motion (ROM) into dorsiflexion is restricted by the tension within the plantar flexor muscles (e.g., gastrocnemius, soleus, tibialis posterior,
A recent research on the lateral collateral ligament complex – anterior talofibular ligament, calcaneofibular ligament, and posterior talofibular ligament – has yielded some new findings: There are ligament fibers that connect the anterior talofibular ligament to the calcaneofibular ligament. These connecting fibers are described as arciform because of they are arc-shaped. Therefore, the anterior talofibular
