How does manual therapy affect the mechanical properties of fascia?
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Manual therapy techniques such as fascial manipulation, muscle repositioning, and myofascial unwinding have been shown to influence the mechanical properties of fascia. Fascial manipulation on the lateral thigh region has been found to restore physiological gliding properties of the fascia, leading to pain relief, improved range of motion, and functional abilities in low back pain subjects . Muscle repositioning maneuvers induce specific mechanical and neural reactions, increasing tonic muscular activity in the cervical and lumbar erectors, promoting tissue release and integration of body segments . Additionally, myofascial unwinding involves stimulating mechanoreceptors in the fascia through touch and stretching, activating the parasympathetic and central nervous systems to modulate muscle tone and movement, resulting in a neurobiological process of self-regulation and muscle relaxation . These techniques collectively suggest that manual therapy can positively impact the mechanical properties of fascia by promoting tissue release, improving muscle activity, and enhancing physiological functions.
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| Papers (5) | Insight |
|---|---|
| Manual therapy stimulates mechanoreceptors in fascia, inducing relaxation and activating the parasympathetic nervous system. This affects the mechanical properties by encouraging muscles to find a more relaxed position. | |
195 Citations | Manual therapy can influence the mechanical properties of fascia by applying forces that potentially alter its physical characteristics, as discussed in the paper on connective tissue effects. |
1 Citations | Manual therapy, specifically fascial manipulation, restores fascial elasticity by creating heat through friction, transitioning from a pathological to a physiological state, enhancing fascial gliding properties, and providing pain relief. |
| Manual therapy, specifically Muscle Repositioning (MR), can evoke tonic muscular reactions in the fascial system, leading to increased cervical and lumbar erector activity, indicating a mechanical response to sustained loading. | |
| Manual therapy motions like perpendicular vibration and tangential oscillation increase hyaluronic acid flow, enhancing lubrication between fascial layers. This improves mechanical properties, aiding muscle efficiency during treatment. |
Related Questions
How does manual therapy compare to other forms of treatment for chronic back pain?5 answersManual therapy has shown effectiveness in treating chronic back pain. A network meta-analysis found that combined manual therapy interventions had the highest effect size for pain relief, while afferent reduction techniques aimed at restoring muscle spindles were most effective for improving pressure pain threshold. Additionally, a study comparing manual therapy to advice on staying active for nonspecific back and neck pain found that manual therapy was slightly less costly and more beneficial in improving quality of life and pain intensity. Furthermore, in patients with chronic low back pain due to degenerated disc disease, gait analysis showed that manual therapy sessions led to a tendency towards symmetry in gait patterns, unlike sham treatment or classic physiotherapy. However, a systematic review and meta-analysis on spinal manual therapy's effect on pressure pain thresholds in chronic musculoskeletal conditions and pain-free individuals did not show consistent hypoalgesic effects.
What are the effects of manual therapy interventions on the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome?5 answersManual therapy interventions have been shown to have positive effects on the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). These interventions, which include techniques such as cervical manual therapy, have been found to improve clinical outcomes and electrodiagnostic findings in patients with CTS. Manual therapy interventions have been associated with a significant reduction in symptoms severity and improvement in functional status, wrist pain, and functional disability in activities of daily living. Grip strength tends to improve with manual therapy, particularly in patients over 50 years of age. Additionally, manual therapy techniques have been found to have a greater impact on pain reduction and functional capacity compared to electrotherapy approaches. A meta-analysis of studies also supports the efficacy of manual therapy and related interventions in improving symptoms and functional capacity in patients with CTS. Overall, manual therapy interventions show promise in alleviating symptoms and improving functional outcomes in patients with CTS.
What is the evidence for the efficacy of fascial therapy?5 answersFascial therapy has shown evidence of efficacy in various studies. Studies suggest that fascia reorganizes itself along the lines of tension imposed on the body, causing repercussions to fascial restriction that are body-wide. Myofascial therapies have been found to have immediate effects on navicular pronation, great toe extension, and balance tests, indicating mechanical changes in the fascial and myofascial structures. Fascial therapy has been found to improve joint status, pain, and mobility in patients with hemophilic arthropathy of the knee and ankle. Fascial Manipulation® (FM®) therapy has shown improvement in pain and functional outcomes in patients with pain disorders, orthopedic dysfunctions, and postural disabilities. Fascial therapy mobilizes the connective tissue and is involved in the condition of injured fascia, making it a potential treatment for hemophilic arthropathy.
How effective is manual therapy and balneotherapy in the treatment of fibromyalgia?5 answersManual therapy and balneotherapy have shown effectiveness in the treatment of fibromyalgia. In a study by Tastaban and Şendur, the combination of balneotherapy with conventional physical modalities resulted in significant improvement in pain, functional status, quality of life, sleep, and drug consumption in fibromyalgia patients. Another study by Cao et al. found that balneotherapy can benefit fibromyalgia patients by improving pain and quality of life, although the effects on tenderness and depression varied at different time points. Similarly, Cao et al. concluded that balneotherapy can reduce pain and improve the quality of life of fibromyalgia patients based on observations ranging from 12 to 48 weeks. Additionally, Karadağ and Doğan found that balneotherapy increased the activity of the antioxidant enzyme PON 1 in fibromyalgia patients, suggesting a regulatory effect on the antioxidant system. Overall, these studies suggest that both manual therapy and balneotherapy can be effective treatment options for fibromyalgia patients, improving pain, functional status, and quality of life.
What are the parameters for manual therapy?5 answersManual therapy parameters include pain perception, respiratory parameters, pulmonary function, inspiratory muscle strength, expiratory muscle strength, and respiratory muscle endurance.Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) of the abdominal cavity has been used as a form of therapy for lymphatic system dysfunction in people with abnormal body weight.Manual therapy is effective in the treatment of functional disturbances and early structural changes within the spine, and can be used as a supplementary therapy for spinal pain.The manual therapy device described in one of the papers provides different projections and surfaces for applying pressure to various body parts.
What are beliefs of manual therapy?4 answersManual therapy is an evidence-based practice that can be used in the treatment of neuromusculoskeletal problems. However, some manual therapists still incorporate beliefs in vitalism, energy healing, and other metaphysical concepts into their treatment approach. The use of manual therapy as an intervention has been a topic of intense debate, with some arguing that it is a purely passive intervention. Manuals have been used since the early 1960s, but their use has not significantly enhanced patient outcomes. Instead, tracking patient progress and connecting it to therapist behaviors and attitudes may have a greater impact on positive outcomes. The future role of manual therapy in healthcare is an important area of research, and there is a need for more specificity in studying the effectiveness of manual techniques for specific patient signs and symptoms. The scientific evidence to support the efficacy of manual therapy interventions is limited.