Has anyone tried myofascial release t... - Fibromyalgia Acti...

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Has anyone tried myofascial release therapy?

melodypond profile image
13 Replies

Did it work?

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melodypond profile image
melodypond
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13 Replies
Devonlady profile image
Devonlady

Hi Melody,

No never heard of it. I have found a gum guard at night has helped my facial pain though.

Elaine

whyshaw profile image
whyshaw

Hi Melody,

My dentist had a tooth guard made for me,years age, to see if it would help with my grinding during sleep.

I wore through it within weeks. My dentist was shocked. My dentist didn't charge me for it (should have been £40 back then).

Have got a new dentist, so will ask her if there is another solution, when i see her in February

Yvonne xxx.

Extremelygrumpy profile image
Extremelygrumpy

Yes I have had it loads of times in a effort to get my back neck and shoulder muscles out of spasm, three different people over a space of 3 years and the best anyone of them could do was relieve my pain for two days then I knotted up again. It cost me an absolute fortune I wish I hadn't spent. I am fortunate now I have trigger point injections at my local pain clinic into these muscles every three months and its not perfect but its made my life a lot more manageable pain wise

Hope that helps

VG x

In case anyone isn't aware about what exactly Myofascial Release Therapy is, here it is explained in an article from the Pain Care Clinic in Harley Street, London, UK.

paincareclinic.co.uk/my...

"Myofascial release is a non-invasive, gentle hands-on soft tissue technique that works on the fascia to release restrictions. The technique involves applying a gentle stretch to the restricted fascia until resistance is felt. Sustained pressure is then applied for 90-120 seconds or more until the therapist senses the first myofascial releases, which are sometimes accompanied by heat and reddening of the skin as blood flow is restored. As these releases occur the therapist can follow the trail of further restrictions until the tissue becomes softer and more pliable. These releases take the pressure off pain sensitive structures such as nerves and blood vessels, and restore alignment and mobility to muscles and joints. So what is myofascial release? Myofascial release is a technique that has been developed by medical doctors, osteopaths, physiotherapists and massage therapists since the 1940s. One of the most well known is physio John Barnes, who says ‘release of the pressure of the fascial system … creates a free mobile environment of [these] pain-sensitive structures, producing consistent results in relieving pain and restoring functional mobility.’

Does myofascial release work? Scientifically, myofascial release has been shown to work at cellular level. And clinical trials have demonstrated the effectiveness of myofascial release in alleviating plantar heel pain, pain from systemic sclerosis, and pain and other ‘quality of life’ problems associated with fibromyalgia. MFR has also been shown to be effective in increasing a range of shoulder movements, and in aiding heart and blood pressure recovery after high intensity exercise."

adapting profile image
adapting in reply to

thanks for this

could you supply any info on pressure point injections please? i asked my pain consultant he said it would be the accuountist who does it, is that correct?

Here is a link to a discussion we have had recently about MyoFascial Release Therapy, I hope you find this helpful -

fibroaction.healthunlocked....

(((hug))) xxx

Libs

LindseyMid profile image
LindseyMid

There is some info in the new Complementary Therapies & Fibro factsheet:

fibroaction.org/Pages/Compl...

I have found MFR extremely helpful, but you do need to see someone who has had in-depth training, ideally is experienced in treating Fibro and is comfortable referring on if the treatment cannot help or is inappropriate (e.g. my MFR therapist works with a specialist osteopath and if she can't help, she refers patients to him or their GP for further investigations).

in reply to LindseyMid

Can we get this on the NSH Lindsey? (Possibly from a physiotherapist). Thanks

LindseyMid profile image
LindseyMid in reply to

Some physios are trained in basic myofascial release techniques. Often, unfortunately, this is only direct trigger point release, which is the most painful and so least appropriate for people with Fibro.

Sadly, the in-depth training in these techniques is often expensive and time consuming, so NHS professionals do not do it.

There are techniques you can do yourself, or can get a partner to do. The book 'The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook: Your Self-Treatment for Pain Relief' by Clair Davies may be helpful if you want to explore this.

in reply to LindseyMid

Hi, I'm awaiting this book from the local library which I'm looking forward to reading.a

melodypond profile image
melodypond

Thanks all for you responses and the info. I have a free consultation with a physio next week so am going to listen and access before I decide whether to go ahead or not. It is expensive which is a major consideration as we, like everyone else, are skint!

LindseyMid profile image
LindseyMid in reply to melodypond

This may help with physio:

fibroaction.healthunlocked....

It's worth seeing if you can get a local recommendation from other people with Fibro before seeing a MFR therapist. If you're within reach of Newbury, then there is a very experienced therapist here. There is also more info on finding a therapist in the Complementary Therapies factsheet.

melodypond profile image
melodypond in reply to LindseyMid

Hiya. Thanks for your help/links. Not near Newbury unfortunately. I have looked at the site for MF in the UK and they have a list of recommended physios and what level they are trained at. I will go along and see how much this one (he was on the list) knows about Fibro and MFR etc before I commit as not sure how we will afford it anyway! Just at this point I am willing to give anything a go (whilst keeping my sensible head on of course). x

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