A 1999 study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that osteopathic spinal manipulation, including myofascial release, was as effective as standard therapies for the relief of lingering low back pain but had an added benefit: Those who received hands-on therapy required far fewer costly painkillers, muscle relaxants, and anti-inflammatory drugs, which could have potentially dangerous side effects.
In addition to back pain, myofascial release is used to treat a wide array of painful ailments affecting the muscles and connective tissues. These include fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, muscle spasms, whiplash injuries, and carpal tunnel syndrome. People with diabetes, who are at increased risk for painful plantar fasciitis and frozen shoulder, may also benefit. Elite runners and Olympic athletes have used the technique for stress injuries (it has also been used in racehorses and their riders), as have weekend warriors with tennis or golfer's elbow, shin splints, or a bad sprain that is having trouble healing.
The therapy is used for many other conditions as well in people of all ages. Those with jaw pain, discomfort from the scars of surgery, headaches, and chronic fatigue syndrome may all benefit. In women, the technique is sometimes used for relief of pelvic pain, menstrual problems, incontinence, and even infertility. It is also offered to children with, among other conditions, birth trauma, head injuries, cerebral palsy, and scoliosis.
Source: http://www.wholehealthmd.com
Michelle Leonard @ Alternative Health Solutions of NJ
