Myofascial Release Therapy: A Visual Guide to Clinical Applications

by Michael J. Shea, Holly Pinto

Overview

Michael Shea, one of the foremost experts on myofascial release, presents straightforward, practical instructions for dramatically releasing pain and restriction of motion in the body's fascia, muscles, and connective tissue. He introduces a soft tissue, hands-on approach for massage therapists, physical therapists, and other healthcare practitioners that reduces tension and stress in their clients' entire myofascial systems, as well as their musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems. Therapists with little or no background in myofascial release and deep tissue reorganization can follow this book's easy guidelines in order to facilitate substantial orthopedic changes and pain reduction in their clients.

Illustrated with 70 black and white photos, Myofascial Release Therapy includes an at-a-glance section that provides a step-by-step procedure for quick reference. Each photo is supplemented with instructions, as well as with arrows for easy reference in the clinic. This book provides the first integration of the verbal, visceral, and palpation skills of the therapist. It also includes work on the viscera as a way of integrating soft tissue work through the abdomen and pelvis. While manuals on the bones, muscles, and viscera have previously been divided into separate volumes, this book combines them into one.

The author offers specific tools and protocols for helping patients "destructure" past somatic experience and reform it into something healthier. He illuminates the interconnectedness between bodies and their relationships to the outside world, including how sensations, feelings, and emotions are organized in the body and how they are coupled to meaning and memory. The result of many years of experience and knowledge, this book provides compelling evidence that myofascial release therapy encourages more rapid healing response of injured tissue.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781583948453
Publisher:	North Atlantic Books
Publication date:	11/18/2014
Pages:	384
Sales rank:	329,109
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

MICHAEL J. SHEA, PhD, is the author of a number of books, including Somatic Psychology and Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy, Volumes 1-5. He has been a Florida licensed massage therapist since 1976, and is a founding member of the International Affiliation of Biodynamic Trainings. He received his master's degree in Buddhist psychology at Naropa University, and a doctorate in somatic psychology at The Union Institute. Dr. Shea was an advanced Rolfer for 20 years and an adjunct instructor of human embryology in the pre- and perinatal psychology doctoral programs at the Santa Barbara Graduate Institute in California. HOLLY PINTO, BS, LMT, NCTMB, has been practicing and teaching massage therapy and myofascial release for over 20 years. The director and owner of The Body Therapy Center and School of Massage, Ltd., she has graduated nearly 1,000 students and trained many more with great success in the techniques of myofascial release. She lives and works across the river from St. Louis in Swansea, Illinois.

Table of Contents

Introduction xi

Section 1 Theory and Application 1

Chapter 1 Myofascial Release: A Holistic Approach 3

Holistic Skills 4

Holistic Aspects of Fascia 10

Treatment Strategies 14

Review and Conclusion 18

Chapter 2 Fascial Anatomy and Microphysiology Simplified 23

Histological Makeup and Classification of Connective Tissue 23

Chapter 3 Fascia as an Organ of Communication Robert Schleip 33

Chapter 4 The Skills of Myofascial Release 39

Contact Skills 39

Sensing 41

Verbal 42

Action 43

Chapter 5 Treatment Strategies 45

Empathy 46

Tips on Proper Execution 47

Tips on Asking for Movement 49

Avoiding Autonomic Exhaustion 52

Support During Emotional Release 54

Chapter 6 The Myofascial Release Session 57

Warm up Superficially 57

Go Deeper 58

Integration 60

Reeducation 60

Chapter 7 Indications and Contraindications for Myofascial Release 61

Indications 61

Contraindications 64

Section 2 Photographic Atlas 67

Chapter 8 Releases of the Spine and Thorax 69

Functional Breath Releases 69

Functional Breath Release One 70

Functional Breath Release Two 72

Functional Breath Release Three 73

Functional Breath Release Four 75

Lung Fissure 76

Costovertebral and Costotransverse Joints 79

Costochondral and Costosternal Joint Spaces 82

Costoclavicular Ligament, Transverse Clavicular Ligament, Pleura, Lateral Border of Trapezius, Anterior Scalene, and Sternocleidomastoid 84

Serratus Posterior Superior and Inferior and the Levatores Costarum Muscles 85

Serratus Anterior and the Clavipectoral Fascia 90

Ventral Fascia over the Rectus Abdominus and the Costal Arch 92

Rectus Abdominus over the Pubic Symphysis 95

Iliopsoas Muscle 98

Quadratus Lumborum 102

Surface Anatomy of the Sacrum 106

Sacrum: Anterior and Posterior Ligaments 108

Sacroiliac Ligaments and Lumbar Fascia 111

Coccygeal Ligaments 113

Sacrum and L5-S1 114

Sacrotuberous Ligament 117

Topographical Anatomy of the Erector Spinae and Paraspinal Fascia 120

Trapezius in Seated Position 122

Mid-Dorsal Fascia in Seated Position 127

Lumbar Fascia in a Seated Position 130

Paraspinal Fascia and the Thoracolumbar Fascia 133

Chapter 9 Releases of the Hip and Leg 141

Extensor Retinaculum and the Interosseous Membrane between the Tibia and Fibula 141

Achilles Tendon 144

Plantaris and Gastrocnemius Muscles 147

Medial Hamstrings 150

Adductor Magnus and Its Attachments on the Ramus of the Ischium 152

Piriformis and Biceps Femoris Muscles 155

Postural Fascia over the Crest of the Ilium and the Greater Trochanter 159

Gluteus Medius and the Tensor Fasciae Latae 163

Quadriceps 165

Septum between the Quadriceps and Adductors 167

Chapter 10 Releases for the Shoulder and Arm 169

Clavicle, Coracoid Process, and Sternum 169

Subclavian Muscle 171

Superficial Fascia of the Arm 175

Clavipectoral and Deltoid Fasciae 177

Teres Major and Minor 180

Subscapularis Muscles and Pectoralis Minor 181

Biceps and Extensor Compartment of the Forearm 185

Extensor Retinaculum of the Wrist and the Flexor Compartment of the Forearm 187

Chapter 11 Releases of Neck, Head, and Face 191

Sternocleidomastoid and Superficial Cervical Fascia 191

Digastric 193

Scalenes in Supine 195

Scalenes, Trapezius, and Levator Scapula in Side Lying 197

Treatment for Cervical Whiplash 199

Cervical Spine 202

Suboccipitals 208

Temporalis Fascia 209

Intraoral Techniques 211

Atlas-Occiput Space 215

Process 226

Summary 227

Chapter 12 Releases for the Viscera 229

Mobilizing the Liver and Respiratory Diaphragm 229

Respiratory Diaphragm and the Liver 232

Respiratory Diaphragm and Stomach 234

Bladder Ligaments under the Pubic Symphysis 237

Bladder Ligaments between the Bladder and the Umbilicus 240

Iliacus and Cecum 243

Iliacus and Sigmoid Colon 246

Root of the Mesentery and Palpation of the Duodenum 250

Section 3 Commentaries 251

Chapter 13 The Structural Integration Model of Ida P. Rolf, Ph.D., Michael J. Shea 253

Chapter 14 The Expression of the Autonomic Nervous System 263

Chapter 15 Myofascial Release and the Psychosomatic Body 277

Chapter 16 The Psychology of Pain in Musculoskeletal Dysfunction 283

Aloneness 283

Depression 284

Hope and Fear 284

Pain of Pain 286

Chapter 17 Psychological Issues in Manual Therapy 289

Chapter 18 Types of Body Shock Michael J. Shea 297

Indications of Shock 310

Causes of Shock 311

Thwarting-Situations 312

Primary Responses to Thwarting (Somatic) 312

Primary Responses to Thwarting (Autonomic) 312

Secondary Responses to Thwarting 313

Chapter 19 Working with Shock Physiology 315

Chapter 20 Myofascial Release: Blending the Somatic and Orthopedic Models Michael J. Shea Dale Keyworth 325

Resources 339

References 341

Index 349

Acknowledgements 361

About the Authors 365