Why are my muscles rigid? Introduction

Last week I explained what myofascia is and how it can become restricted from, for example, poor posture. How to identify Myofascial Restrictions? It is important to acknowledge that it is difficult to diagnose myofascial restrictions as they do not show up on standard tests (x-rays, myelograms, CAT scans, electromyography etc). Massage therapists utilise their palpation skills to find myofascial restrictions. For example fascial drag, this is a very light press & slow technique to allow the therapist to feel the restrictions in the fascia. Who treats Myofascial Restrictions?

1. Myofascial Release – Originated in the 1940’s. It is a specialised physical and manual therapy used for the effective treatment and rehabilitation of soft tissue and fascial tension and restrictions. John Barns a physical therapist based in the US is one of today’s leading lights in the world of myofascial release.
2. Rolfing – Dr Ida Rolf, started working with client in the 1930’s and by the 1950’s was teaching her work under the name of Rolfing .   A physical therapy which aims to release stress patterns from the body.   It is normally to require a series of treatment often up to 10.
3. Massage – massage therapists utilise direct and indirect technique to address Myofascial restrictions.

With indirect Myofascial techniques you apply pressure and wait of the fascial to release, when you meet restriction you stretch the fascia. With direct Myofascial techniques you drag the fascia to create a Chinese burn sensation.   Hence why in clinic I often rely on the gentler indirect Myofascial techniques even when I know my clients prefer deep pressure.

These stretches can either be done as a complete series or individually and most of them can be done at your desk.  Some will ease tension in specific parts of the body whilst others are generally relaxing.  Please remember stretching should always be relaxing and never painful! To get maximum benefit from these stretches you should do them daily and hold each stretch for 15 seconds and repeat twice. Head And Neck

• Head rotation - keeping your head level, slowly turn from side to side.
• Slowly drop your head sideways moving your right ear towards your right shoulder and push down with your left shoulder - repeat on other side.
• Stand with your feet shoulder distance apart; look down towards your right foot (hold for 15 seconds),  dropping left shoulder - repeat the exercise looking towards your left foot.
• Drop the lower jaw and open the mouth wide.

Shoulders

• Shrugging shoulders in a circular movement - forwards and then backwards.
• Raise your shoulders high and let them drap heavily; whilst letting breathing out.
• Clasp hands behind your head, with elbows back - push your chin back.  Hold for 15 seconds.  From this position look down and push your elbows together at the front and hold for a further 15 seconds.
• Clasp you hands and push up towards the ceiling, palms up now look down.
• Sit upright in a chair with a firm seat.  Raise your arms as high as possible and remaining seated drop forward letting your head and arms hang heavily towards the floor.

   

What is Acupressure? Acupressure has its roots in traditional Chinese and Japanese cultures through Shiatsu and Anma. How does Acupressure Work? Acupressure points are places on the body that are especially sensitive to bioelectrical impulses and conduct these impulses readily.  In Chinese medicine terms acupressure points are junctions on the meridians that carry human energy, which the Chinese call Chi and the Japanese call Ki.  Western scientists have also mapped out and proven the existing of this system of acupressure points by using sensitive electrical devices.  Stimulating these acupressure points with pressure, acupressure massage triggers the release of endorphins which are the neurochemicals that relieve pain. Tension tends to concentrate around the acupressure points.  When a muscle is chronically tense or in spams, the muscle fibres contract due to the secretion of lactic acid caused by fatigue, trauma, stress, chemical imbalances or poor circulation.  When acupressure points are pressed, the muscle tension yields to the pressure, enabling the muscle fibres to elongate and relax. Seated Acupressure Massage incorporates the pressing of a number of acupressure points, depending upon the length of treatment up to 100 points may be stimulated.  Below are the some of the points that may be incorporated into a Seated Acupressure Massage for someone who is experience neck pain or stiffness:

	GV16 Wind Mansion – which aids the release of headaches, stiff necks and neck pain.
	GB20 Gates of Consciousness – which aid the release of neck pain and headaches.
	TW16 Window of heaven – aids the release of stiff necks, shoulder & neck pain and headaches.
	B10 Heavenly Pillar – which helps relieves stress and stiff necks.
	GB21  Shoulder Well – which as the name suggests helps relieve tension and pain in the shoulders.

  What is the difference between Acupressure and Acupuncture? With acupressure the acupressure points are stimulated with pressure, with acupuncture the same acupressure points are stimulated with needles. What is the difference between Acupressure and Seated Acupressure Massage? Seated Acupressure Massage is very modern; it was created in 1984 by David Palmer who used traditional Acupressure techniques to give 15 minute treatments on the neck & shoulders of clothed employees at Apple Computers in the USA to relieve neck & shoulder pain. You can think of Seated Acupressure Massage as utilising the ancient wisdom and healing art of acupressure to address the modern office woes of stiffness due to muscular tension and pain in the upper back, neck and shoulders.