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Myofascial Release
John F. Barnes P.T. is the founder and creator of Myofascial Release. He has been recommending patients to Abramson Physical Therapy for the last 7 years. For more information on Myofascial Release please visit him at: If you would like to learn more about learning this technique, please join John Barnes P.T. or Abramson Physical Therapy at one of our upcoming Seminars!! Massage Helps FibromyalgiaMay 9, 2002 -- Many fibromyalgia symptoms -- pain, stiffness fatigue depression -- can be relieved with massage therapy. Now researchers say they understand why. Massage alters the sleep pattern, which reduces levels of the chemical messenger for pain. Fibromyalgia affects approximately 3-6 million people in the U.S., mostly women according to the lead author Tiffany Field, PhD a researcher with the Touch Research Institute in Miami. It causes widespread muscle and soft tissue pain, tenderness, and fatigue. A person with fibromyalgia will experience pain when "trigger points" are pressed. Previous studies have shown that exercise, stretching, relaxation therapy and massage therapy can provide relief for people with fibromyalgia. Massage therapy has also been shown to to reduce pain, stiffness, fatigue, and sleeping difficulties, but researchers have not known exactly what massage does to provide relief. In this five-week study, 20 adults with fibromyalgia received either massage therapy or relaxation therapy twice weekly. The massage was a combination of several types including: Swedish, Shiatsu, and Trager, all using moderate pressure. People in the other group went to progressive muscle relaxation sessions. "Both groups showed a decrease in anxiety and depressed mood immediately after the first and last therapy sessions." writes Field. The big difference showed up in their SLEEP and a decrease in their sleep movements, as well as lower levels of the chemical messenger for pain -- called "substance P." For more information about Fibromyalgia Dr. Devin Starlanyl's website is extremely informative. Dr. Starlanyl is one of the leading experts today in the field of fibromyalgia and she has been recommending patients to Abramson Physical Therapy for the last three years. For more information on fibromyalgia and chronic myofascial pain please visit her at: http://www.sover.net/~devstar/index.htm
What is Visceral Manipulation? Visceral Manipulation is a gentle form of manual therapy developed by Jean-Pierre Barral, an osteopathic physician and physical therapist . According to the work of Dr. Barral, the organs and the other structural elements of the body work in unison. "But when one organ cannot move in harmony with its viscera due to abnormal tone, adhesions or displacement, it works against the body's other organ's and muscular, membranous, fascial and osseous structures." The Upledger Institute Thus, a decrease in organ mobility has a profound effect on the musculoskeletal system. For example, adhesions to the lungs could affect rib mobility, adhesions to the uterus could affect pelvic dysfunction and incontinence, and adhesions to the kidneys could affect the spine. Pain due to chronic inflammatory diseases, back or neck pain, and/or poor posture can influence an organ's motility or inherent motion. As the natural motion of the organ changes it begins to affect the mobility of the organ and it's surrounding tissues. If this system is not addressed, the pain cycle often continues. Visceral Manipulation is a highly specialized technique requiring the practitioner to have an intricate understanding of the body's anatomy in order to locate and mobilize the organ that is not moving freely. True specificity of the sluggish organ permits the unwinding of the tissues from around the organ. Other manual techniques do not have the same effect on the organs. After a session, people report a sense of openness or lightness in the treated areas. Improvements in mobility and motion can continue for one to two weeks after the treatment session. For more information on this technique and Dr. Jean Pierre Barrel
The Pilates exercise method was created by Joseph H. Pilates in the 1920s. The technique is based on a series of controlled movements engaging your mind and body. It is a unique practice because it incorporates body awareness, muscle strengthening, postural alignment, flexibility, and ease of movement. Pilates starts working at the body's "core," addressing the deep muscles in the abdominal and back areas. It also incorporates the trunk, pelvis, shoulder, and buttock for a full body workout.
Muscle Energy technique (MET) is a form of osteopathic medicine inspired by the work of Fred Mitchell Senior DO who termed his technique “muscular energy techniques.” His son, Fred Mitchell Junior DO used the material of his father and created the muscle energy technique used today. The primary purpose of MET is to stretch hyper-tonic (tight) muscles. When muscles tighten trigger points can develop and refer pain to other sites in the body. Practitioners can administer MET to decrease hyper-tonicity and help increase the circulation to that muscle. This technique can also be used to decrease inhibition to weak muscles making them appear stronger without strengthening them. The change in muscular balance can also assist in mobilizing and reprogramming joint movement. Moreover, using muscles as levers MET can correct imbalances of the spine, ribs, and pelvis.
Pelvic and Lumbar Stabilization Programs We'll be adding more information on this soon.
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