I've just done another course on integrated myofascial release.  The course was entitled "myfoascial release for the temporomandibular joint (TMJ)".  This is basically the joint that allows your jaw to open and close.

When doing this type of bodywork, you don't just work on the joint in question.  In myofascial work, you look at the body as being interconnected, a restriction in one area will affect another area, so you work on the supporting structures.  Structures that affect the jaw include the neck and the shoulders and the muscles that open and close the jaw. 

So there was some gentle release work done on the neck and shoulders.  Then there was work on the muscles that control the jaw in particular the pterygoids.  This is where you have to open your mouth!  This is also where you make the amazing discovery that the body holds secret tensions of its own.  These tensions are only revealed when you put specific pressure on the area.  Wow!  Who would believe that small muscles in the face can be so tender!  Fantastic feeling once the work was done!

So what happened for me?  Surprisingly, I discovered that when walking, my body moved more easily!  A wonderful feeling.


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For a massage therapist,  what are the main tissues of the body?

Well, I thought I knew: bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments.  As a bodyworker, we were taught that massage worked on and affected the muscles and their associated tendons.  Muscles mattered.  Now the buzz word is fascia.

So what is fascia?  It is the body's connective tissue that covers and connects everything in the body.  What does it look like?  It is easiest to see as the delicate but strong white tissue that covers a leg of lamb.

Why is fascia creating a buzz? It has some amazing and important properties:  fascia connects all parts of the body- it is your "body stocking".  When you move one part of your body, there is a subtle pull/stretch in another part of the body.  This also means that when there is a restriction in one part of the body, there are effects throughout the body.  

Fascia is affected by habitually poor posture, trauma, and inflammation.  Fascia reacts to these conditions by shortening and becoming more rigid.  The body loses its flexibility.  Movements become restricted and painful.  Restricted fascia can exert  a tensile strength of over 2000lbs so it can have quite an effect on the body.

What does this mean for you?
  • If problems keep re-curring, it could mean that the area that is giving you problems (such as the knee) may not be the actual problem.  A restriction in your hip could affect your knee.
  • Does massage only give temporary relief?   Maybe you need a session of myofascial release.  Stretching the fascia will give your muscles more room to move.
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The dangers of modern living

We have all heard of DVT but the media coverage has tended to link this with flying. DVT's aren't solely linked with flying. Our inactive lifestyles are a major contributing factor such as sitting for long periods of time, driving long distances, etc.

What are the signs of a possible problem? 
  • An ache or pain in the calf that does not change with activity (i.e. it is constantly present).  If the pain was due to muscle exertion, it would ache when walking or other such activities.
  • You don't remember doing anything such as straining the muscle to cause the pain.
  • There may be associated swelling in the leg and the skin of the leg may feel warm to the touch.
If these signs fit,  then you need to quickly see your GP to rule out a DVT.

Look at http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html/Deep_Vein_Thrombosis.html for further information and more details relating to DVT symptoms.

A recent study has suggested that women who are not very active are at more of a risk of DVT.   Women who sat for more than 41 hours were at greater risk than women who sat for less than 10 hours/week.   A short review is available here: http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2011/07/05/get-moving-more-health-risks-of-sitting-reported

Bascially, remember to try to put a bit more physical activity into your day.  Your body will definitely thank you for it!
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