Jersey Shore Myofascial Release Center

As the suffers of fibromyalgia know, the disease can be devastating on one’s lifestyle.  The impact on the physical and mental health has profound effects on the ability to perform daily activities, meet professional and home demands, and interact socially.  One of the most frustrating aspects of the disease is the inability of the medical community to adequately diagnose, describe the progression, and develop an effective treatment plan for fibromyalgia.  Because of the systemic, whole body, effects of fibromyalgia, the most effective treatment plans are holistic and multidisciplinary, compromising of both traditional therapies and alternative therapies.  Massage therapy and specifically myofascial release is becoming, with increasing frequency, an integral part of the treatment for myofascial release.

Even though the precipitating factors and progression of fibromyalgia are not completely understood, a consensus of determining symptoms has been formulated.  Fibromyalgia has been characterized by the following symptoms:

• Widespread muscle pain with localized tenderness in 11 of 18 discreet points
• Anxiety/depression
• Chronic headaches
• General Fatigue
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Morning stiffness
• Numbness, tingling
• Sleep disturbance
• Diminished blood flow to fingers and toes
• Sensitivity to weather/temperature, stress and physical activity
• Swelling in hand or feet without associated edema
• Extreme fatigue

The treatment of fibromyalgia with myofascial release takes the following perspective.  Regardless of the underlying cause, traumatic, pathogenic, or metabolic, the body’s response with fibromyalgia is both a hyperactivation of the immune system and hyperarousal of the body’s stress response.  Eventually over time, the body’s resources are depleted due to these heightened states of activity with the subsequent onset of exhaustion, lethargy and depression.  With decreased physical activity and postural changes or due to microtrauma to the muscles, the fascial system responds by shortening and tightening, further restricting the ease and ability to perform simple movements and tasks.  This chronic shortening and tightening results in localized areas of decreased circulation and metabolism.  Eventually, nerves and skeletal alignment will be affected, with the manifestation of pain.  And the cycle amplifies.  Myofascial release, through the application of deep and gentle stretches, works to release the constrictive shortening and tightening of the fascia system, breaking of adhesions and reorganizing the fascial layers.  With the relaxation of the fascial tissue, circulation is restored and cellular metabolism is normalized.  As the constrictive tightening and associated edema is released, localized pain disappears and range of motion begins to restore.  This enables the client to begin to resume exercise and other daily activities.  As the muscles regain normal tonus and flexibility, posture and skeletal alignment is restored.

The integration of myofascial release techniques with cranial sacral techniques supports the recovery of the mental and emotional wellbeing.  Cranial sacral techniques restore the circulation, metabolism and alignment of the central nervous system.  Often times the depression and sense of helplessness experienced with fibromyalgia will lift with the introduction of the cranial sacral therapy.