Myofascial Release FAQ

Myofascial Therapy and Research Foundation
SCeB CAPT, Chemmanampady, Medical College, Kottayam
PH: 9495300913, 9846967728, 9846265331
http://scebcapt.blogspot.com

Advanced Diploma in Myofascial Therapy

Q: What will I learn from taking a course?

A: Our Myofascial Release courses are designed to introduce you to techniques that can help you treat difficult cases and chronic or deep-seated pain. We guarantee you will be able to use MFR immediately in your practice with confidence and success.

Q: How large are the classes and how many instructors are there?

A:There will be10 to 20 students in a class. Our instructors frequently work with assistant instructors to enhance participants' learning experience. Classes are kept small so you have lots of opportunity to ask questions and receive one-on-one instruction.

Q: What are the hours of your courses?

A: Our courses are two months in length. They are scheduled from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Q: How much hands-on work is there? How much theory?

A: About 95% of the course is devoted to hands-on work. Emphasis is put on practical clinical application of MFR. The instructor starts with a short lecture (about a half-hour) to go over anatomy and theory related to the work, and then gets right into demonstration and practice time during the first morning.

Q: Does Myofascial Therapy and Research Foundation award certificates?

A: Yes. You will receive a certificate at the end of the course, provided you have completed all of the required hours of instruction.

Q: How is Myofascial Release different from Swedish massage?

A: The focus of the work is to release restrictions within the fascia, or connective tissue, which envelops the muscles, bones, ligaments, and organs. Rather than focusing on specific muscles and their origins and insertions, MFR requires you to shift your thinking to see the body in terms of the interconnecting fascial planes. MFR requires no oil and is very slow. The actual strokes are quite different because you are molding into the tissue to grab and move fascia, rather than working only muscle.

Q: What is the difference between the AJIMSHAW’s Approach of Myofascial Release and other styles of Myofascial Release?

A: The main difference is in approach. Some MFR work is primarily static, which means that it involves a lot of holding and stretching to release the tissue. While the AJIMSHAW’s Approach of MFR incorporates some static release, it focuses more on active, or direct, MFR techniques. In active work, the therapist goes directly into the tissue to move it to a better anatomical position and release restrictions that way.

Q: What is the difference between the AJIMSHAW’s Approach of Myofascial Release and Rolfing®?

A: Rolfing is a system of fascial manipulation developed by Dr. Ida Rolf. Our courses do not teach Rolfing and are neither affiliated with nor endorsed by the Rolf Institute. The AJIMSHAW’s Approach of Myofascial Release is similar to Rolfing in that both styles use techniques called myofascial release. They also share the same goal -- to improve clients' posture and body functioning, as well as relieve their pain. The primary difference between the two styles of work is the investment involved in learning each. The Myofascial Release techniques we teach are just as effective as other styles, but can be learned at a fraction of the cost and time.

Q: What are your instructors' qualifications?

A: All of our instructors have completed a recognized Myofascial Release program (Direct and Indirect) and have studied the AJIMSHAW’s Approach of Myofascial Release, which is taught by Dr. Ajimshaw. M.S.

“AJIMSHAW’s approach” to Fibromyalgia Syndrome

Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) affects 3-6 million individuals of which 90 percent are women between the ages of 40 and 60 years. It is the 3rd most prevalent rheumatologic disorder after osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
The word “fibromyalgia” is a combination of Latin roots “fibro” (connective tissue), “al” (pain) and “gia” (condition of). The word syndrome simply means a group of signs and symptoms that occur together which characterize a particular abnormality.
The diagnosis of FMS is given when no specific underlying cause can be found for the following set of signs and symptoms: a complaint of wide-spread muscle pain on both sides of the body, above and below the waist for at least three months duration. In addition, midline body pain on the spine or chest must also be present. Additional symptoms include tension headaches, generalized stiffness, sleep disorders, debilitating fatigue and a high incidence of irritable bowel syndrome.
Although there is no cure for this syndrome, moderate to excellent results have been achieved through “AJIMSHAW’s approach” including MFR, Manipulations, MET, Relaxation practices, exercise, proper nutrition and stress reduction.
Hands on Therapists of SCeB CAPT are specially trained in “AJIMSHAW’s approach” to provide safe, effective treatment for many neuromusculokeletal conditions and allied disorders
If you are experiencing some or all of the symptoms above, or if you have any questions, contact Dr. Ajimshaw. M.S, Director, SCeB CAPT, Secretary, Myofascial Therapy and Research Foundation (India), Lecturer, Dept. of Physiotherapy, SME, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala. Ph: 91-9495300913

Repetitive strain injury

Introduction
Repetitive strain injury (RSI) is a term that is used to refer to various kinds of injuries to muscles, tendons or nerves. These injuries are caused by repetitive movement of a particular part of the body. RSI can also be referred to as upper limb disorder (ULD). This is because the condition often involves the upper part of the body - the forearm, elbow, wrist, hands, and neck.
The most common RSI conditions include:
• Bursitis - inflammation and swelling of the fluid-filled sac near a joint at the knee, elbow or shoulder.
• Carpal tunnel syndrome - pressure on the median nerve passing through the wrist.
• Dupuytren's contracture - a thickening of deep tissue which passes from the palm of the hand into the fingers.
• Epicondylitis - inflammation of an area where bone and tendon join - for example, tennis elbow.
• Ganglion - a cyst in a tendon sheath, usually occurring on the wrist.
• Rotator cuff syndrome - inflammation of muscles and tendons in the shoulder.
• Tendinitis - inflammation of a tendon.
• Tenosynovitis - inflammation of the inner lining of the tendon sheath that houses the tendons that control the fingers and thumbs.
• Trigger finger - inflammation of the tendon sheaths of fingers or thumb accompanied by swelling of the tendon.
• Diffuse RSI - nerve damage.
RSI is often caused, or aggravated, by frequently repeated movements, such as a task or leisure activity - for example playing golf or tennis regularly. Symptoms usually persist over time if left untreated.
As the number of people using computers increases, the chances of developing RSI increases. The repetitive action of typing on a computer can cause painful symptoms in fingers and hands, such as a throbbing pain. RSI caused by typing on a computer is typically referred to as 'writer's cramp'.
RSI is also linked to many types of repetitive manual work, such as the use of vibrating equipment in factories.
If there are any symptoms, including painful, tingling or swollen hands, elbows, wrists or shoulders, it is important to get treatment quickly. The sooner treatment is started the better the chances of recovery.
Types of RSI
RSI can be categorised into two types, Type 1 RSI and Type 2 RSI:
• Type 1 RSI - this includes conditions that are due to repetitive tasks, but can also be common in people who do not carry out repetitive tasks. The main symptoms tend to be swelling and inflammation of muscles and tendons. Typical type 1 RSI conditions include carpal tunnel syndrome (pressure in the wrist), tendonitis (inflammation of a tendon), and tenosynovitis (inflammation of tendon sheath).
• Type 2 RSI - is when a person's symptoms do not fit into one of the above listed conditions. This is usually because there is no obvious inflammation or swelling in the affected area, merely a feeling of pain. This type is often called 'non-specific pain syndrome'

My Experiences with Pain

What I do?

Some things in life can be pains in the neck or back but Dr. Ajimshaw can take care of a real pain in the neck, back or just about anywhere else. He uses AJIMSHAWs approach for managing various osteomyofascial dysfunctions.
As a Hands On Therapist, Ajimshaw views his profession as helping his patients achieve a "lifestyle of pain-free living," he said. "It's a very sensible approach to preventative care and wellness, not just for pain."
He said he focuses primarily on mobilize patients' spines and fascia to take pressure off the nervous system. Undue pressure on the spinal cord can cause other ailments, such as headaches or muscle pain elsewhere in the body, explained Ajimshaw.
With proper fascial and joint alignment, he said, the body can use its own ability to heal injuries.
" AJIMSHAWs approach enables the body to function at its best ability," Ajimshaw said.
Most of his patients are dealing with back or neck pain, migraines, sports strains and sprains, accident injuries.
Dr. Ajimshaw does most of this work with his hands, feeling the muscles and bones and adjusting them into proper alignment.
"Each patient is treated specifically for their condition," he said. "The treatments are tailor-made for each person — safe, precise and tailor-made."
Before he begins any therapy regimen, Dr. Ajimshaw takes X-rays to find out what's wrong and whether his services can help.
Not all ailments can be treated by AJIMSHAWs approach, he pointed out. Ajimshaw don't prescribe medicines, perform surgery or treat illnesses such as cancer or the flu — "nothing invasive," Dr. Ajimshaw said. He refers patients to physicians and specialists for ailments that are beyond the scope of his practice.

• Best part of my job?

"I know I can make a difference in someone's life, health and well-being," Dr. Ajimshaw said.

• Most challenging part?

"Convincing people who are in pain and have tried other methods of treatment that they should commit to a series of [AJIMSHAWs approach] treatments," he said. "It's not a one-visit program."
Dr. Ajimshaw said he achieves results over a course of visits, usually 10-20. "Results come with time and repetition," he said.

• What keeps me going?

"Knowing I can rely on my training and experience to offer the patients the expertise they're looking for," he said. "I see so many cases and remarkable recoveries."
• Preparation needed for this job: You have to believe in the body's ability to heal itself, " Dr. Ajimshaw said. " AJIMSHAWs approach is not the healer; the body is the healer."
He is running SCeB CAPT Clinic at Medical College, Kottayam, along with his lectureship in Dept. of Physiotherapy, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam. He is the general secretary of Myofascial Therapy and Research Foundation of India - a foundation intended to give awareness and establishment to MFR and AJIMSHAW’s approach and to conduct Diploma Courses in the above.

AJIMSHAW’s Approach for Cervicogenic Headache

A cervicogenic headache is a syndrome characterized by one sided head pain, referred from either bony structures or soft tissues of the neck. Sufferers usually complain of single sided headache which is side locked (meaning it does not change position between sides of the head). It can extend from the neck to the base of the skull and around to the front of the head. The symptoms are generally provoked by neck movements and sustained postures, usually being described as dull or moderate in intensity and worse in the mornings.
On examination, sufferers tend to have reduced neck range of motion, sore and tender neck muscles, reduced joint mobility with poor motor control of the deep neck flexors (stabilizing endurance muscles).
It is important you are assessed by a physiotherapist to differentiate if your headache is of a cervicogenic nature and therefore easily treatable by AJIMSHAW’s Approach, or in actual fact, other forms of headache just migraine.
How can cervicogenic headache be treated?

AJIMSHAW’s Approach for Cervicogenic Headache

Treatment plans

Moist Heat x 10mts
Myofascial Release of head and neck
Craniosacral Therapy
Ultrasound x 6mts (1Mhz) at trigger points
Cryotherapy
Relaxation Techniques

Follow Ups

Joint mobilisation/ manipulation
Myofascial Unwinding
Myofascial Rewinding
Aerobic Strengthening
Postural Correction
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