Chronic primary musculoskeletal pain is a newly recognized condition (in 2022) that is categorized as nociplastic pain, occurring without identifiable tissue abnormality. This is a paradigm shift in management towards more centrally directed treatment strategies. Patients with myofascial pain may in fact suffer from this condition. Many questions remain, including validation of examination techniques, prevalence,
Foam rolling (FR) is a popular technique used in physical training and rehabilitation to release muscle tension and improve mobility. However, its effects on myofascial tissue stiffness and muscle strength have remained unclear. To better understand these effects, researchers conducted a systematic review with meta-analysis of trials that tested the acute effects of FR during
A recent study published in the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies suggests that myofascial therapy may be an effective treatment for clinical anxiety. The study, a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial, involved 36 adult patients with clinical anxiety who were randomly assigned to either the myofascial treatment group or a placebo group. The treatment group
New research from Institute of Sports Sciences at Goethe University Frankfurt shed some light on how the gastrocnemius and hamstring – are connected by a tissue continuity that allows force to be transmitted between them. The deep fascia connects muscles in the body, creating myofascial chains that can affect muscle function and cause pain or
Breast cancer treatment can lead to secondary upper limb dysfunctions. Myofascial treatment is a promising physical therapy modality for this issue. A study from Belgium presents a double-blinded randomized controlled trial conducted in a rehabilitation unit of a university hospital to investigate the effect of myofascial therapy in addition to physical therapy on shoulder, trunk,
Scars can form as a result of various factors such as mechanical damages, burns, surgeries, and long-lasting skin diseases, and they can affect most people. Scars can be normal or pathological, with factors such as age, anatomic location, race, and type of trauma increasing the risk of pathological scarring. Pathologic scar formation can lead to
Low back pain (LBP) is a prevalent health issue that has major consequences for quality of life and results in significant financial burden. Recent studies have suggested that fasciae, particularly the thoracolumbar fascia (TLF), may play a role in chronic pain. Myofascial therapy (MFT) targeting fasciae aims to decrease tension in the myofascial tissues, increase
Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions worldwide, affecting millions of people. While several therapeutic approaches have been proposed to treat anxiety, the use of complementary and alternative medicine is also gaining momentum. One such approach is the myofascial therapy, which involves the manipulation of the body’s soft tissues to relieve pain