Janet Travell, M.D., Staff Physician to President John F. Kennedy, was an early pioneer in the application of myofascial therapies. Today, medical doctors, chiropractors, osteopathic physicians and physical therapists advocate the use of these methods to reduce pain and dysfunction.
Soft tissue therapies are increasingly being prescribed by physicians to complement traditional medical treatments as a growing body of research documents their efficacy.
When a muscle is strained from injury or overuse, chemicals are released that irritate nearby nerve endings. Fluid collects, compressing those same nerves and. This cascade leads to the recognition of your muscle pain. Over time, flexibility can become impaired, perpetuating your pain experience. Massage activates neurologic pathways that reduce pain while moving these chemicals back into your lymphatic supply and improving circulation.
End result: you feel better and you move better!
NOW GO OUT AND MOVE!
Health insurance companies, realizing the cost savings from myofascial therapies, frequently cover them as a prescribed aspect of your care.
These methods are often successful in treating neck pain and stiffness from a whiplash, shoulder and arm injuries, low back pain, sciatica, hip, knee, ankle and foot pain.