Muscle Repositioning: A New Verifiable Approach To Neuro-Myofascial Release?

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ARTICLE IN PRESS
Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies(2008) 12, 213–224

Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies
www.intl.elsevierhealth.com/journals/jbmt

MANUAL CLINICAL METHODS

Muscle Repositioning: A new verifiable approach to neuro-myofascial release?
Luiz Fernando Bertolucci, MD (Certified Advanced Rolfer)Ã
Associac ao Brasileira de Rolfings, Av Dr Arnaldo, 1644, 01255-000 Sao Paulo SP, Brazil -ˆ ˜
Received 6 February 2008;received in revised form 25 April 2008; accepted 1 May 2008

KEYWORDS
Fascia; Musculoskeletal manipulation; Reflex; Posture; Rehabilitation; Musculoskeletal disorders

Summary The clinical observation of involuntary motor activity during application of a particular style of myofascial release (Muscle Repositioning—MR) has led to the hypothesis that this technique might evoke neurological reactions.Preliminary EMG recordings presented here show involuntary tonic cervical erector action during MR. Involuntary eye movements were also observed. This article presents these experimental data, along with clinical observations during the application of MR in the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions. The author hypothesizes that MR might constitute a novel manual technique: it produces uniquepalpatory sensations for the practitioner (e.g., a sense of firmness to the touch and the integration of bodily segments into a single block) that correspond to unique sensory experiences for the client. The article raises the possibility that MR’s specific sensory input might activate the central nervous system, thus eliciting neural reactions. These reactions, in turn, might be related to thetechnique’s efficacy. As the EMG objectively measures reactions contemporaneous with subjective palpatory phenomena, MR potentially brings the objective and subjective into congruence. EMG monitoring of touch could serve as an objective criterion in the development of treatment protocols, as well as a feedback tool for teaching. Greater objectivity, precision and reproducibility are all possible outcomesof such an approach. The author believes that MR can be used in various therapeutic settings—either as the principal approach, or as an adjunct to a variety of other approaches. & 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Introduction
Manual therapies, enduring and subjective
ÃTel.: +55 11 36727002.

E-mail address: bertolucci.lf@gmail.com

Manual therapies are part of human culturalhistory. Over the centuries, countless manual therapies have been developed, and even now

1360-8592/$ - see front matter & 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2008.05.002

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ARTICLE IN PRESS
214 many traditional approaches are still used alongside modern techniques. But perhaps because some manual therapies are difficult to study, their mechanisms ofaction are poorly understood. This hinders their further technical development and scientific validation, as well as their acceptance by the general public. One persistent difficulty in the study of manual therapies is their reliance upon subjective criteria for both diagnosis and treatment. Because each touch is a unique event that combines countless attributes of the practitioner, the client, and...