Comparison between Myofascial release and connective tissue

ikreuzer · 10-10-2006 07:14 PM

"Bindegewebsmassage", as connective tissue massage is called in German, originated in 1929, when a German physiotherapist, Mrs. Elisabeth Dicke (1884 - 1952) suffered from severe circulatory problems in her right leg, severe enough that amputation was being considered. While she was in bed, she noticed pain and puffiness and tightness in the sacral area. To relieve these problems, she started to work on the area, trying to loosen the tight area by "pulling", she applied strong pulling motions, in effect pulling the subcutaneous tissues. While she was doing this, she noted a sensation of warmth in her right leg. As she continued to treat herself, the tightness over the sacral area improved, as did the puffiness at the perimeter of the tightened area, but at the same time her leg improved. She not only avoided amputation, but, over time, recovered from the circulatory problem completely.
Mrs. Dicke discovered entirely by chance a form of "vicero-peripheral reflexes". Theoretically, diseases of the inner organs create disbalances in the metabolism of certain subcutaneous tissues, related to the effected organ. These areas are specific to certain organs, eg. dysmenorrhea: an area of tightness, about 5cm to 10cm across, with puffy borders, over the lower sacral region, etc (there are specific areas for liver problems, stomach ailments, etc., but i am sorry I can't really remember them accurately.)
"Working" these areas directly influences the corresponding organ.
Mrs. Dicke developed a "regime", specific techniques to "irritate" the areas through stroking and pulling of the subcutaneous tissue. In 1938 she showed the techniques to Prof. Dr. Kohlrausch in Freiburg, who then continued to work on the scientific reasoning and confirmation of this theory, and was assisted in this work by Dr. Teirich-Leube.

As you can see, the primary aim of this treatment was to positively influence inner organs.

However, the tightness in the subcutaneous tissue also creates problems with the musculoskeletal system, the "zones", as the effected areas are called, are usually hypersensitive and often very painful, thus negatively effecting movement patterns etc.....thus working on the "zones" also reduces related musculoskeletal problems.

The technique is very specific, difficult to perform as it is very hard on ones hands, and unpleasant for the patient, it is painful and some patients actually feel nauseated or faint. (no kidding) In my "young" days, working in Vienna, I had to use BGM, and was always surprised when it actually worked, which it usually did. Because it is so hard on the hands, we were only allowed to do 3 per day. I hated doing it, and have not used it since. It is also not the kind of thing you want to "try", you really need to know what you are doing. I did, however, find the "zones" very helpful for diagnostic purposes, and managed to surprise many patients by "knowing" they had liver, stomach, circulation problems, suffered from headaches, etc., just by looking at them!

Still think it's the same as myofascial release?
neving