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Liberação Miofascial Técnicas
Liberação Miofascial Técnicas
Liberação Miofascial Técnicas
TECHNIQUES
Leg Traction 25
Anatomy
This handout is laid out as it will be presented in class-lower body: superficial back and front line, the
upper body: superficial back and front line. It was documented this way for the student’s benefit so we
do not leave class feeling unbalanced.
In the following techniques we will be looking at affecting the fascia and myofascia of the body. This
in turn will affect the muscles increasing movement and generally creating space for not only muscle
but bones, nerves, blood and lymphatic vessels and organs to function unencumbered.
Fascia is the most abundant of tissues in the human body. It invests, surrounds, separates, and supports
other structures of the body. Dr. John Upledger, DO refers to it as “the inner body stocking”. When
healthy and non-restricting it could be described as a similar to a mesh much like a piece of cheese
cloth soaked in a semi-dried glue with a great amount of tensile strength. It can be stretched and return
to its original state. It can be shortened and returned to its original state. However, with lack of
movement, sustained lengthening or shortening or sudden injury over-stressing it’s anatomy it can
retain its new found position and take on the consistency of cheese cloth whose glue has hardened.
There are many varied techniques to treat the fascia ranging from John Barnes’ slow sustained
stretching and tractioning, CranioSacral’s even more subtle manipulations to more aggressive
interventions such as Rolfing.
In these classes you will be learning very simple techniques that you can apply in the context of a full
myofascial session or integrate pieces of this work into your myomassology sessions. The individual
techniques are not as important as is your general understanding of working with the fascial system
to enhance your effectiveness in soft tissue release and normalization.
The main differences between myofascial and other massage strokes are as follows:
Finally, “Put it where it belongs and call for movement”. This quote from Ida Rolf, simple as it is,
leads us to a complex concept when applied to a case by case application. We will use it in its
simplest interpretation and applied to the work presented here to mean-
We will be following the concept and theory of Thomas Myers’ Anatomy Trains. We will only be
scratching the surface and this is intended to be an introduction to this work. If interested it is
suggested that you delve further into his writings and theories.
Using the knuckles stroke from the anterior calcaneus to base of the first
phalange
Using the knuckles stroke from the anterior calcaneus to base of the third phalange
Using the knuckles beginning just medial to the fifth metatarsal head stroke across the arch ending just
medial to the first metatarsal head.
2
Gastrocnemius/Soleus
Area of Treatment- Gastrocnemius and soleus stroke
Using the posterior proximal phalanges of the “soft, conforming, open handed fists” to stroke
beginning 1-1 ½ “distal to the knee ending at the ankle. This stroke is performed by leaning your
weight over your arms until your hands glide in the desired direction. As the leg narrows taper your
stroke and focus to the index fingers.
3
Hamstrings
Area of Treatment-
Biceps femoris, semitendinosus, semimembranosus
Stroke from the ischial tuberosity to the lateral aspect of the knee
in the same manner used previously for the calf muscles.
Area of Treatment-
Biceps femoris, semitendinosus, semimembranosus
With clients knee flexed palpate for the apex of the muscles outlining the popliteal (where the medial
and lateral hamstrings separate).
4
Utilizing three fingers of each hand place your fingertips into the “valley” between the medial and
lateral hamstrings. Perform a deep gliding friction movement in a superior then inferior direction.
5
Superficial Front Line
Dorsal Foot
Area of Treatment- Extensor tendons of the foot
Engage the fascia of the tendons and stroke from the toes to the ankle.
Stroke between the metatarsals from the toe web to the tarsals.
6
Extensor Retinaculum
Area of Treatment- Anterior ankle
7
Anterior Tibialis
Area of Treatment- Anterior leg compartment between anterior tibialis and the tibia
8
Area of Treatment- Anterior leg compartment between anterior tibialis and the tibia
9
Thigh
Area of Treatment- Rectus Femoris
Using either the fist surface of the hand or your forearm stroke
from 1-11/2” above the knee to the ASIS (anterior superior iliac
spine) of the ilium.
Instruct client to raise their knee from the table and lower with the stroke.
10
Superficial Back Line
Standing behind client place flat of fists along both sides of the spine on level of C7.
Instruct client to perform the following movements in progression slowly, one vertebra at a time:
Keep the fascia of each region engaged as you stroke from C7 as far down the spine as possible.
11
This movement should be performed by keeping your body weight over the
client and not forcing but allowing your hands to move down along the spine.
12
Next we evaluate for “valleys and mountains”.
A valley is an area of the spine whereby the spine seems to sit in a “valley” of muscle (more anterior).
This is commonly found where there is a lordotic spine.
Valley
The opposite a mountain is where the spine is projected posterior to the paraspinal muscle
Mountains
Evaluate for mountains and valleys in a seated or standing position only (not while they are bent
over). Take note of your findings and treat accordingly.
13
A simple rule is used for treatment- Pile up on the mountains –Dig out the valleys
Following assessment instruct the client to perform the movement on the previous page.
As they do- Pile up on the mountains –Dig out the valleys in the following manner
14
Place knuckles medial to the muscles on both
Sides of the valley and stroke laterally
“digging out the valley”.
15
Erector Spinae
Using the flat of the forearm near the elbow stroke from the upper
trapezius to the iliac crest and over the sacral fascia
16
Scalp Fascia
Galea aponeurotica
17
Cervical Region
Area of Treatment- Erector spinae (Longissimus cervicis, spinalis, semispinalis, etc.)
Swing your elbow using the entire arm for this move.
18
Suboccipital Region
Area of Treatment- Erector spinae (Longissimus cervicis, spinalis, semispinalis, etc.)
19
Superficial Front Line
Trunk
Area of Treatment- Rectus Abdominis
Uncurl your fingers, engaging the fascia, and stroke up over the costal cartilage to approx. the fifth rib.
Do not stroke or put pressure on the xiphoid process.
20
Area of Treatment- Obliques and sternal fascia
Neck
21
Area of Treatment- Sternocleidomastoid and posterior neck
Do not contact the neck anterior to the sternocleidomastoid!
Instruct client to rotate head/neck away from you (rotate on the midsaggital plane – not rolling the
back of their head on the table) as their movement stretches the fascia.
As they rotate head/neck lower elbow and stroke across back of neck
Alternate technique
Area of Treatment- Sternocleidomastoid and posterior neck
22
With clients head rotated to the opposite side place your non-fist on the sternocleidomastoid, engage
and stroke accross the posterior neck.
NOTE: When rotating clients head or asking them to do so their head/neck should be kept in line with
the long axis of the spine. To do so lift head from table and turnhead. Remember the head rotates
from the C1-C2 joint (Figure 1). Do not allow client to “roll head” on table moving off the midsaggital
line.
Figure 1
Figure 2
23
With the head turned engage then stroke from the sterrnomastoid origin to the insertion. Using very
little compressive force and by lowering your elbow use a “scooping” motion to lift as you stroke and
stretch the fascia. Take your stroke over the mastoid and onto the occiput.
24
To integrate the superficial back line cup clients calcaneus’ and traction with focus of stretching the
achilles tendon. Then allow the stretch to travel up the back line.
25
BONY STATIONS MYOFASCIAL TRACKS
9. Sacrum
8. Sacrotuberous ligament
7. Ischial tuberosity
6. Hamstrings
5. Condyles of femur
4. Gastrocnemius/Achilles tendon
3. Calcaneus
2. Plantar fascia and short toe flexors
26
12. Galea aponeurotica/scalp fascia
13
11
10. Erector spinae/
Sacrolumbar fascia
8. Sacrotuberous ligament
7
6. Hamstrings
4. Gastrocnemius/
Achilles tendon
27
BONY STATIONS MYOFASCIAL TRACKS
Scalp fascia
11. Sternocleidomastoid
9. Sternalis/stenochondral fascia
8. 5th rib
7. Rectus abdominis
6. Pubic tubercle
5. Anterior inferior iliac spine
4. Rectus femoris/quadriceps
Patella
Subpatellar tendon
3. Tibial tuberosity
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12
11. Sternocleidomastoid
10
9. Sternalis/stenochondral fascia
7. Rectus abdominis
29