Table of Contents

ContentsDedicationAcknowledgmentsAbout the AuthorPrefaceSection I: Introduction to Myofascial ReleaseIntroduction to Myofascial ReleaseMyofascial TherapySam Kegerreis, MS, PT, ATCBiomedical and Infomedical ModelsPathological DistinctionsStructural ConceptsTensegrityMyofascial RestrictionsAnatomy of FasciaSoft Tissue Injuries and Myofascial PainTightness and RestrictionConceptual ModelsFascia as a BalloonFascia as Plastic WrapFascia and Muscle as Red Elastic BandsMyofascial Release: A Brief HistoryRobert C.Ward, DOUnderstanding Myofascial ReleaseTrust FeelingsBasic PrinciplesAssumptionsProcess of ChangeLearning Myofascial ReleaseBasic Steps: An Overview of TreatmentOnion MetaphorGross Release of Any MuscleFocused Release of Any MuscleGross Versus Focused ReleaseSensation of a ReleaseAutonomic Response to a ReleaseResponse to Myofascial ReleaseEnd-FeelPsychological Effects of Myofascial Release and Other Manual TherapiesEssence of Myofascial ReleaseSpecial ConsiderationsEnigma of the “Good Hurt”BoundariesSignificance of Touch and Nonverbal CommunicationSteven Nowicki, PhDFocusing on Feedback: Communication ExercisesExercise 1. Communicating EmotionsTouch As CommunicationExercise 2. Personal SpaceProtocols for Myofascial ReleaseIndicationsContraindications PrecautionsPre-Treatment ProtocolsEstablishing the Therapeutic EnvironmentTesting for Vascular IntegrityPost-Treatment ProtocolsDrink... Drink... DrinkBe Kind to Your HandsSection II: Basic Myofascial Release TechniquesUpper Quarter ReleaseRelease of the Shoulder RotatorsA Learning Exercise: Focusing on FeedbackSidelying Release of the Parascapular MusclesLower Quarter ReleaseSidelying Release of the Gluteal MusclesTrapeziusBilateral Release of the Upper TrapeziiUnilateral Release of the Upper Tr apeziusFocused Release of the Upper Trapezius Release of the Splenius Capitis and Semispinalis CapitisBilateral Release of the Middle TrapeziiUnilateral Release of the Middle TrapeziusFocused Release of the Middle TrapeziusRelease of the Lower TrapeziusFocused Release of the Lower TrapeziusCervical RegionRelease of the Posterior Cervical MusculatureCranial Base ReleaseGross Release of the SternocleidomastoidFocused Release of the SternocleidomastoidGross Release of the Scalp Muscles: Hair ReleaseGross Release of the Face Muscles: Ear ReleaseGross and Focused Release of the Scalp and Face MusclesRelease of the HyoidsPectoralis Major and MinorRelease of the Horizontal Fibers of the Pectoralis MajorRelease of the Diagonal Fibers of the Pectoralis MajorRelease of the Pectoralis MinorIntercostals and the Rib CageGross and Focused Release of the Intercostal MusclesRelease of the Rib CageGross Release of the Quadratus LumborumAbdominal MusclesGross Release of the Rectus AbdominisGross Release of the Abdominal ObliquesGross Release of the Tranversus AbdominisIliopsoasGross Release of the IliopsoasFocused Release of the IliacusPectineusFocused Release of the PectineusPiriformisFocused Release of the PiriformisLower Extremity MusclesGross Release of the Quadriceps FemorisGross Release of the SartoriusGross and Focused Release of the Tensor Fascia LataGross and Vertical Gross Release of the HamstringsGross Release of the Anterior TibialisFocused Release of the Peroneus LongusGross Release of the Soft Tissue of the Forefoot and ToesGross and Focused Release of the Plantar FasciaGross and Focused Release of the GastrocnemiusGross Release of the SoleusGross Release of Both Legs and the Lower TrunkBack MusclesGross Release of the Levator ScapulaGross Release of the RhomboidsFocused Release of the SupraspinatusFocused Release of the InfraspinatusGross and Focused Release of the Teres Major and MinorGross Release of the SubscapularisGross and Focused Release of the Erector SpinaeSidelying Gross Release of the Quadratus LumborumSidelying Gross Release of the Latissimus DorsiSidelying Gross Release of the Iliocostalis LumborumUpper Extremity MusclesGross Release of the DeltoidsGross and Focused Release of the Biceps BrachiiGross and Focused Release of the BrachialisGross and Focused Release of the BrachioradialisGross Release of the Wrist and Finger ExtensorsGross Release of the Extensor Carpi Radialis Focused Release of the Extensor Carpi UlnarisGross Release of the Pronator TeresFocused Release of the Wrist and Finger FlexorsFocused Release of the Flexor Carpi RadialisFocused Release of the Flexor Carpi UlnarisFocused Release of the Adductor PollicisFocused Release of the flexor Pollicis BrevisFocused Release of the InterosseusGross Release of the Abductor Digiti MinimiGross Release of the Soft Tissue of Each FingerGross Release of the TricepsFocused Release of the TricepsGross Release of Both Arms and the Upper TrunkSection III: Advanced Myofascial Release TechniquesAnterior Chest Wall ReleaseThoracic Fascia ReleaseDiaphragm ReleasePelvic Floor ReleaseSacral Fascia ReleaseMyofascial Trigger PointsTrigger Point ReleaseTender PointsTender Point ReleaseSkin and Scar RestrictionsEvaluating Skin and Scar MobilitySkin Roll Release“J” Stroke ReleaseScarsIndirect Gross Scar ReleaseDirect Gross Scar ReleaseVertical Direct Gross Scar ReleaseDirect Scar Skin Roll ReleaseIndirect Scar Skin Roll ReleaseDirect Focused Scar ReleaseMyofascial Strum ReleaseLong Stroke Strum ReleaseShort Stroke Strum Release Dural Tube DysfunctionTesting for Dural Tube DysfunctionCriteria for Performing a Dural Tube Release Dural Tube Anatomy MetaphorDural Tube ReleaseCombination ReleasesTreatment in Three DimensionsSection IV: Evaluation: Initial AssessmentGeneral ConsiderationsInitial InterviewPosture EvaluationPain AssessmentHeadachesSection V: Additional ResourcesPosture EvaluationStanding—Facing ForwardStanding—Facing RightStanding—Facing LeftStanding—Facing BackwardSitting—Front ViewSitting—Right ViewSitting—Left ViewSitting—Back ViewSupine—Observation and PalpationProne—Observation and PalpationReferencesAdditional ReferencesIndex

About the Author

Carol J. Manheim, MS, MEd, PT, LPC, received her MS degree from Case Western Reserve University and her MEd in clinical counseling from The Citadel. Ms. Manheim is a physical therapist and licensed professional counselor in private practice in Charleston, South Carolina. Ms. Manheim has taught courses and presented papers on Myofascial Release at a variety of state, national, and international venues. She has presented papers on Myofascial Release and the psychological effects of manual therapies at the World Confederation of Physical Therapy and at the national convention of the American Physical Therapy Association. She has presented papers and given workshops on the Soft Tissue Effects Caused by Diabetes Mellitus at the World Confederation of Physical Therapy and at the national convention of the American Physical Therapy Association. She taught a preconference two-day course on Myofascial Release at Physical Therapy '97 for the American Physical Therapy Association. Ms. Manheim has given courses for physical therapists and occupational therapists that were sponsored by various state organizations and agencies, including the South Carolina Consortium of Rehabilitation Agencies, the Northwest Consortium of Rehabilitation Facilities, and various health care facilities in the United States, Canada, and overseas. In addition, Ms. Manheim has presented lectures on body memory and physically facilitated abreactions at state and notational psychotherapy conferences. She is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association, the South Carolina Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association, and a past member of the Neurodevelopmental Treatment Association and the International Society for Behavioral Science in Physical Therapy. She is also a member of the American Association of Counseling and Development, the American Mental Health Counselors Association, and Chi Iota Sigma (a national counseling honorary society) and a past member of the International Society for the Study of Dissociative Disorders.

Reviews

 "…the manual style format allows users to access various techniques efficiently, based upon anatomical category."  

— Lynee Dewar, MCSP