Movement is the action of changing position from one point to another. 

Muscle Release Therapy, MRTh® is a process that assists the brain in recreating a movement that for one reason or another was abruptly stopped or altered. For example, when someone injures themselves the body creates or changes a movement pattern to minimize the amount of damage. This develops an uneven tension to the human skeleton and that result is pain. 

As I discussed in the last blog the Pelvic Girdle is the center of all activity in movement. It is a limited source and because of its makeup both structurally and physiologically, movement will be slow and very methodical. It is more of a supporting structure and needs to move mainly to support the vertebral column and position itself to allow proper movement of the spine and hip joint. In balancing the Pelvic Girdle I was able to bring about support but soon learned that much more was needed to insure proper movement from that support point. My studies and research took me down many avenues and the picture above really did prove the point that we are interconnected and as in any mechanical system there needs to be a balance. 

While learning movement it was impressed on me that individuals do not have tight hamstrings, but restricted movement in the back. During this time I was also studying Tensegrity or the ability to move in proper tension. It was this discovery of the pull/push system of movement that explained more on the principals of movement in the pelvic girdle.

The Pelvis has the ability to shift according to necessity and how it shifts will often explain the resultant discomfort that many experience. One example is the hip joint, although a circular joint it moves in an elliptical or oval format. What the Pelvis needs to do is alter its posture to accommodate the precision of movement in the joint itself. When it is not able many malady's will take place, Sciatic Nerve discomfort because of inappropriate tension on the Piriformis muscle, deep hip pain that radiates into the groin region, low back discomfort which is sometimes caused by the shifting laterally of the lumbar vertebrae, and forms of functional scoliosis. 

I originally classified these movements as lateral rotation of the full girdle, {an opening or closing of one side of the pelvis}, obliquity or one side higher than the other, and forward or backward tilting of the Pelvis on one side or both. I was able to develop release techniques to bring about a natural tension to the Pelvic Girdle. It was this natural tension that helped develop a structural correct posture but was still somewhat limiting in natural movement.

Balancing the movement between the three major bones of the Pelvis and the structure above and below became the challenge that was made into the opportunity. The Tensegrity of the connections to the Pelvis is where we went next in our journey to find the natural balance of structure and how it correlated to movement.

As we continue our journey into Muscle Release Therapy, MRTh® we will discuss next the interconnection of the low extremities to the Pelvis.

a Reason to HOPE!

Dennis

Often times in therapy work, words are interchanged for one reason or another. At Chagrin Valley Wellness Center we have recently added a new staff member, Tanya Wieker LPT who practices a technique called the John Barnes Myofascial Release. The hallmark therapy that has been associated with the Wellness Center is Muscle Release Therapy, MRTh® a theory and technique that was developed by Dennis Gibbons, LMT. To avoid confusion I will clarify the distinct differences between the two forms of therapy.

First is to understand the tissue systems of the body. Fascia is a connective tissue that has minimal to no blood supply and is feed by the fluid that keeps our cells healthy; known as interstitial fluid and is a thick, syrupy form of matter. It is this fluid that allows the Fascia to glide easily and permits the organs, tissues and skeletal system to move with minimal resistance. Fascia is a three dimensional tissue that intertwines throughout the body and begins at the top of the head and completes its connection in our toes. It is a strong and durable tissue that in reality holds us together.

The Fascia is also highly innervated, which means that there are many nerves that traverse through it; it is where all of our sensory nerve endings are found. It is these nerve endings that control all of our movements during our daily lives. If you have read my blog(s) in the past I talked about the energy field that our body has, and this is where it is found!

If you were to skin a chicken you will find directly under the skin a thin white filmy substance, this is the Fascia and that is how our bodies are wrapped. If you take this white filmy substance, you will see that it has the properties of being able to stretch and form it in many patterns. On the other hand, take the meat that it wraps around and you will see that it has very little movement; this is basically the same tissue that our muscles are made of. This quality of flexibility is what we experience when we “stretch our muscles” and is also what allows the movement to take place.

The tissue that is dealt with during Muscle Release Therapy, MRTh® are the ligaments, tendons, and muscles, and how they correlate to movement of the skeleton. Understand also that the Fascia is also involved because as we encourage the proper muscle response to balance the tension on the bones, we also must activate the Fascia. The practitioner locates and treats the imbalances in the tension to bring about a balance to the skeletal structure. The practitioner of MRTh® uses the barriers found in the Fascia covering to help in the location of points of distress in the tissue that it covers. The use of the Fascia is imperative in finding all of the points so that a more complete therapy can be delivered.

In Muscle Release Therapy, MRTh® the therapist will locate and activate the proper nerve signals to encourage balance. This is done in the following manner: the ligaments are activated so that all four of their qualities are properly “turned” on. The four qualities of the ligaments are positioning of the bones that form the joints, stabilization of the joint, movement of the joint, and controlling the speed of the joint. Once these four qualities are re-established the tendon, which joins the muscle unit to the bone, is activated and begins the process of movement. The tendon receives its message from the brain once the ligament has established itself.  The tendon will signal the brain as to the amount of dynamics the muscle tissue must provide to move and re-balance the skeleton.

In Myofascial Release, the therapist will carefully guide the Fascia in movement so proper permission is giving to the tissue to move without restriction. When a barrier or restriction is encountered the educated guidance of the therapist is used to ensure proper release. Since the Fascia is three dimensional the proper guidance is mandated to avoid any further damage. These movements are very intricate and a thorough education of the Fascia and how it moves is necessary.

This all works in conjunction with the Fascia because of the nerves that are imbedded in it. This imbedding of the nerves also is what drives Acupuncture as the meridian system is located in the Fascia as well. This information is passed through the Fascia by what is called piezoelectric. The Collagen material that makes up the Fascia, and many other tissues and organs of the body, has the ability to generate multiple electrical energy fields. It is these energy fields that control all of the movement and stability to the body, and it is the first tissue to form in the embryo.

Hopefully this gives the reader a basic understanding of the different forms of therapy we are now able to provide to you at Chagrin Valley Wellness Center. If you have further questions, please feel free to call and we will personally talk to you about these differences.

a Reason to HOPE!

Dennis 

"Dance is the hidden language of the soul."...by Martha Graham.

Dancers like athletes put their bodies under constant physical demand. With a demanding training schedule, the many rehearsals, and then the big "event" of the performances, dancers become easily prone to injury. Many dancers ignore pain and believe they need to accept discomfort as part of being a "dancer"; pain is the red flashing light that something is wrong. With fear of any injury, dancers are afraid they will be told not to dance an extended period of time; this may threaten the chances for a great role because they become "unreliable" or "a risk to work with". This is the reality of being a dancer...STRESSFUL! Muscle Release Therapy (MRTh®) and Therapeutic Massage are both effective for releasing muscles, fascia tension, and to restore muscular-skeletal balance. Taking care of your body to prevent injury is extremely important. Ignoring the warning signs can increase the risk of chronic injury and even become career threatening.

"You need to run the choreography one more time", or "take another class", either way this can become taxing on one's body. Your hips begin to feel tired, tense, and soreness starts to set in. Overuse is the most common cause of muscular imbalances with dancers. The repetitive demand can cause tissue damage and block coordination of muscles. When certain muscles are not firing to the greatest capacity other muscles are going to pick up the slack. Dancers are trained to center movement around the left leg. Moving and gesturing more with the right side of the body long term can cause imbalance. I have worked with many dancers who are extremely hyper mobile and counterbalance movement with the piriformis; their gluts lack in proper stabilization while the hamstrings take a great amount of the load.

Dancers need to have balance between flexibility, strength, and fascia tension....ah! don't we just love fascia?! Fascia is a nice panty hose like arrangement of collagen fiber. Fascia surrounds each muscle and the group of muscles, which connect from the head down to our toes. First the muscular skeletal system must be in balance. Tightness around the neck and shoulders can cause the superficial back line to be compromised, leading to "tight" hamstrings limiting freedom of movement. Micro tears can develop from training, stretching, and injury. Fascia will then rebuild itself, as the collagen regenerates - it does so in an unorganized thicker arrangement. The tissue can cause tightness and may also make it difficult for the nerves to slide with ease. This will restrict movement and flexibility while causing pain; breaking up and rebalancing these tissues is crucial. A Massage Therapist can work through the restricted parts of the body. As a mover, it can be extremely difficult to know where the body is holding, compensation can be hidden very well, especially with a dancer.

I am a dancer, teacher, and choreographer; there was a time I would dance 6 to 8 hours a day, along with a couple of dance classes and a rehearsal. I never had any injuries that I can remember; however I do recall I was extremely sore at times. My hips would be sore, and my knees would really hurt as I was walking up those New York City subway steps. I began to take Pilates and Yoga regulary; I was working to keep my body in balance, but I was also demanding a lot from my body each day. I never went to a massage therapist to help me with alignment and recovery. Then my body relived one injury after the other, I even lost my spatial awareness. I tell my students all the time to receive help for their injuries, pain, and discomfort. "You only get one body, so take care of it. You have to take it with you when you grow old". I wish I would have taken better care of myself when I was a young dancer and extremely active. But, with my lessons learned I love working with dancers today, I encourage dancers (as well as any athlete) to take special care of your body. Muscle Release Therapy (MRTh®), Therapeutic Massage, and rebalancing exercise is crucial for a healthy musculoskeletal balance.

Dance is the reason I became a Massage Therapist, I wanted  to increase my knowledge of the body and movement. I am excited to explore and help anyone live a pain free active lifestyle. This article is an overview of my experience with dance and what I have learned studying the body through MRTh®. Please feel free to contact me if you have questions about a specific injury, I would greatly enjoy working with you.

Thank you for your time, as I enjoyed sharing my story with you.
Tanya Mucci, LMT
216-364-0152
[email protected]