I’ve been traveling, teaching and reading (and writing) – a lot lately – hence the lack of blog posts.
It’s about the reading and writing bits that I want to offer some thoughts in this posting – as it seems to me that there has been a definite shift in terms of new therapeutic directions, since the first Fascia Research Congress back in October 2007. Now when I say ‘new’ I realize that for many practitioners and therapists fascial considerations have long been a major focus – but for the vast majority my sense is that fascia has remained in the background – not right at the center of what those of us who work on the human body could and should be considering.
I was modestly involved in the 1st Congress (Boston, 2007), and am a small cog in the wheels that are turning to organize the 2nd – Amsterdam, October this year. The Journal of Bodywork & Movement Therapies that I edit published many abstracts, articles and research reports from the Boston event, and will do so again this time….and it’s about some of the topics that will be discussed and taught (post Congress workshops) that I want to write today. I’ve been looking through the hundreds of abstracts sent for review by the Scientific Committee and although I cannot preempt the actual event by revealing details, I can share topics – which may offer a flavor of the range and variety of fascial topics that will be available (at the congress and in JBMT).
These are some of the abstract titles:
- Undiagnosed Posterior Thigh Pain, A Fascial Rather Than Neural Cause? (Australian study)
- Fascial Distortion Model (FDM) – An Effective Method For The Treatment Of Shoulder Pain (German research)
- Anatomical Discovery of Meridians and Collaterals (Chinese research)
- Evaluating the effectiveness of Myofascial Release to reduce pain in people with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS): A Pilot Study (U.K. study)
- Myofascial Release (MFR) efficacy in alleviating specific symptoms in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Two Case Studies (U.K. study)
- Visceral Adhesions as Fascial Pathology (dissection evidence, USA)
- Effect of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment in Essential Hypertension and Initial Vascular Wall Alteration (Italian research)
- Prospective Investigation on Hip Adductor Strains Using Myofascial Release (Canadian study)
- Healing Anterior Cruciate Ligament Without Surgery (Spanish research)
- Distant Surgery Scars and Other Fascial Restrictions Perpetuate Pectoralis Minor: Trigger Points in Two Cases of Severe Chronic Hand Pain (USA)
- Asessment and treatment of fascial strain in thepelvic girdle (Canada)
- Fascia slings and lumbopelvic stability from a new perspective (Holland)
- Inflammation Release Technique:Light Pressure Deep Tissue Protocol for Fascial Restriction (USA hospital study)
- Inner Psoas Tri-axial Deformation Under Tensile Load Corresponds to Superficial Dense Connective Tissue Morphology (Canadian study)
- The Strain Patterns of the Deep Fascia of the Lower Limb (Australian report)
……and these are just a random sample!
Cover of Fascia book
If you want to get a recent overview on the entire topic see Mark Lindsay’s new book “Fascia: Clinical Applications for Health and Human Performance” (Delmar.Cengage 2008)
I will write more on the topic of fascia in genera,l and the conference in particular over the coming months …for now though, my suggestion is that all therapists should investigate the ideas and methods that are evolving in this field.
August 3rd, 2009 at 10:55 pm
Mr Chaitow,
I have been reading many of the articles/research on fascia and am fascinated. I would like a bit more insight on some of what you wrote in one of your recent articles.
In “Research in Water and Fascia” in MassageToday, June 2009, your summarize the research of Klinger et al. by saying “during an isometric stretch, water is extruded, refilling during a subsequent rest period. As water extrudes during stretching, temporary relaxation occurs in the longitudinal arrangement of the collagen fibers. If the strain is moderate, and there are no micro-injuries, water soaks back into the tissue until it swells, becoming stiffer than before.”
I would like to understand further: what it is that we may do with clients that constitutes “moderate strain with no micro-injuries” such that the result is less desirable (“becoming stiffer than before”)?
Also, this research seems to suggest only a temporary state. How significant is the value that you suggested can be extrapolated from this research if clients get up off our tables and subsequently return back to water-filled tissue?
August 4th, 2009 at 12:30 am
Karen, the research demonstrated the extrusion of fluid (‘water’) from fascia during stretching, with subsequent re-uptake. Since less water makes the tissues more pliable, this may account – in some part – for the temporary additional freedom/range of movement subsequent to stretching, which then offers an opportunity for mobilisation, or movement, that was previously restricted. The natural return of fluid to the tissues subsequently would then be superimposed on more mobile structures…..or at least this is how I see it. Of course stretching has multiple additional effects, mechanical, viscoelastic, endocrine (release of endorphins and endocannabinoids for example)…so the ‘hydraulic’ effectis just one part of what seems to happen. The avoidance of strain or trauma seems self-evidently a good idea, and is what any self-respecting therapist would aim for anyway. I hope this helps?
September 23rd, 2009 at 12:13 am
Hi,
This is a great feature I wasn’t aware of. Thanks for this beautiful write.
March 5th, 2010 at 4:31 am
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July 24th, 2010 at 11:11 am
Dr. Chaitov definitely is one of the very first researchers stressing the importance of a well-balanced fascia system in the human body. And it’s only since a couple of years that the world opens up to this great understanding.
Schaegen & Sweerts Advanced Bodywork. Great answer to neck, back, schoulder or hip related problems.
Myofascial release; Spinal release, Psoas release, Pelvic release, Scapula release, Thoracic release, Diaphragm release, Piriformis release, Sciatic Nerve release. Making use of a safe and very ingenious technique. http://www.bodywork.es/nl.htm info@bodywork.es
Nekproblemen schouderproblemen, rugproblemen, heupproblemen, knieproblemen. Amsterdam, Maastricht,Marbella.
August 17th, 2010 at 9:36 pm
Well,I can’t wait for the articles to be published. The topics you shared with us are very interesting. We really want the best for our client and looking forward to add to our knowledge so that we can provide the best services. I will be great if most of these articles can be published after the congress. Thanks
August 24th, 2010 at 12:13 pm
Great research !! I’m very interested with the abstract titles that you wrote above. So where can i get the Mark Lindsay’s new book?
I’ma a new therapist but i’m not from USA. I’m Asian !!
I really enjoy reading this blog …
August 24th, 2010 at 1:10 pm
Amazon.com would be the best place to find this book