Fascia

The Fascia is very densely woven muscle covering the muscle,bone, nerve,artery, and organs. Fascia is one structure that exists from the head to the toe without interruption which is placed in a three dimension web. The Fascia is made up of  connective tissue. Injury, trauma, surgery, and poor posture causes scarring in fascia very easily since it is a connective tissue. There is no elasticity and pliability  in connective tissue. Scaring or cross links in fibers causes loss of flexibility fiber, range of motion, and tension in muscle. 1' square fascia restriction creates 2000 pounds of pressure per Myofascial expert(John Barnes P.T). In my 28 years of experience as an Occupational Therapist along with my experience with alternative therapy, I am able to help people who have not responded to any other form of therapy, surgeries, medication, or interventions.

Myofascial pain syndrome may involve either a single muscle or a muscle group. In some cases when patients experiences pain may not be the site of original pain.  This is designed to relieve pain, restore posture, and to return to function. Myofascial pain develops from a muscle injury or from excessive strain on a particular muscle or muscle group, ligament or tendon and it centers around sensitive points in muscles called Trigger Points.  Myofascial pain is usually diagnosed by trigger points, postural observation, and soft tissue pliability.  Myofascial pain persists or worsens unlike normal muscle pain.  Myofascial pain is caused by trigger points and has been linked to many types of pain including: headache, jaw pain, pelvic pain, and arm and leg pain.  Other causes can be from car accidents/whiplash, injury to Intervertebra column, repetitive disc motion, immobilization due to orthopedic condition after surgery, strokes, fractures, strains, dental work, poor posture, flat feet, clenching of the teeth, Plantar Fasciatis, and sudden weight gain or weight loss.  Factors that may increase risk of muscle trigger points include:  Age, Sex, Stress, and Anxiety.

Symptoms include the following:  Deep aching pain in a muscle, pain that persists or worsens, muscle stiffness that usually increases after stretching, joint stiffness near the affected muscle, area of tension in your muscle that may feel like a knot or tight spot and could be very sensitive to touch, and difficulty sleeping due to pain. These are just to list a few; please keep in mind that there are more symptoms that could result in Trigger points.

Test and Diagnosis: 
Your therapist will ask you questions about your signs and symptoms and area where you're feeling pain may be examined.  The therapist will then feel for Trigger Points and will proceed to apply gentle finger pressure to the painful area. While doing this the therapist will watch your response to sensitive area.  Patient may feel jolt or muscle twitch in the trigger point.

Treating: 
If not treated it will lead to muscle weakness, sleep problems, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue disorder, depression, decrease in energy level, etc.  Myofascial Release Therapist will work with you to identify and correct factors of daily living that may contribute to your pain.  For instance, if poor posture is causing muscle stress in your low back the Occupational Therapist may guide you through exercises to correct your posture.  Therapist may also change daily exercise activities as well as diet change.  For example: Yoga, walking, swimming, and bike riding are good exercises to help you cope better with pain along with eating healthy foods and getting plenty of rest.

Patient story:
I lived in constant pain as a result of fibromyalgia.  My neck stayed forward, shoulders were rounded, my back hurt constantly and pain increased so much in my trigger point that even the slightest breeze caused tremendous pain .  I could not lift my arm up, turn my head to drive, transfer from sit to stand without excruciating pain and even breathing hurts.  I was so depressed and tried all types of medicines, physical therapy, modalities, massage, and exercises, you name it I tried it.  Not one of these treatments were successful for me. The pain then increased daily to the point that I could not even move for days at a time.  I was then sent to Vital Energy by my doctor and I was extremely pleased with my treatment.  I really was happy with the treatments I received at Vital Energy which included Myofascial Release, muscle energy work and the stretches which included yoga, Myofascial release,stretches in sitting,standing, and laying position. Also doing stretches in hydrowrox pool against jet pressure really helped.  Vital Energy went further by giving me daily life style changes, recommendations with my 9 and 15 year old sons and husband.  After treatments I was able to go shopping, play with my children, and so many other activities that I once could not even attempt to do.  I have learned to keep myself pain free without much of the anxiety or depression with plenty of rest, stretching, regular exercise and relaxation. 
Thanks to Vital Energy I have a chance to live fully.

Patient story 2:
Tanner plays professional foot ball and soccer ( as a kicker). He had injured his left hip and was treated successfully by Physical Therapy for muscle sprain. However his balance never returned to his previous level. Tanner kept falling a lot and he did not have the precision and strength in his kick. Tanner came to our facility and we figured out his fascia tightness issue which had caused his left hip to seat higher and put strain in his neck muscles. After Myofascial release treatment he had a good posture and a good season. Tanner also received  several awards from Lexington High School.