Back Pain? Try Myofascial Release Therapy!!
Self Myofascial Release Therapy and Back Pain Relief
In a fast paced life, with pressures, deadlines, hectic schedules and long hours of sitting in front of the computers, leaves us completely drained out at the end of the day. For working professionals, especially ones who work with computers, back pain is very common. Myofascial release therapy is a part of physical therapy methods that is known to cure back pain and other chronic aches. Through myofascial release therapy, our bodies’ soft tissues are massaged.
Fascia?
A thin layer of connective tissues is called fascia, which covers every organ in our body. Pressure and stretching in our muscles causes the fascia to stretch too. During a muscle injury, the fascia becomes tight and this signals out aches and pains to our body. Thus, when having back pain, myofacial release will help in reducing the back pain.
Myofascial release therapy can be done by a professional therapist or by oneself. If done by oneself, the process of myofascial release is called self myofascial release therapy or foam rolling. This is because; during this physical therapy technique foam rollers are used. One’s body weight is used during the massaging session with foam rollers in self myofascial release therapy session.
Equipment to use for self myofascial release therapy
- A foam roller is the most commonly used equipment for self myofascial release therapy. A foam roller is used on large muscles. It is dense and provides effective pressure on the muscle’s fascia, but not damaging or bruising the area in the process.
- Cup and release. It is a vacuum cup that provides effective myofascial release results to trigger points but with the least exertion.
- Exercising ball is another tool for myofascial release therapy, which is used in the same manner as rolling foam. However, it has a point that targets the areas, for example biceps.
- Body massager comes with adjustable foam balls fixed on a wooden pole. It is used just like rolling foam.
To cure back pain, with myofascial release therapy, especially; targeting the upper back area, you need to lie on your back. Your arms need to be crossed across your chest and head facing the floor, with knees bent. Your upper back has to be supported by roller foam. Raise your hips and then roll up and down on the roller foam. This way, the mid area of your back will be massaged. Maintain the pressure at the point, till the back pain is relieved.
You can visit a physical therapy clinic if you want a professional therapist to do the myofascial therapy on you, but it is the most effective physical therapy method, amongst the rest to combat back pain and other aches!