Proprioceptive Neurological Retraining (PNF) and Myofascial Release, otherwise known as Active Release Technique (ART)
Undrestanding the neuro-anatomy and physiology of joints and muscles is vitally important to an individual's recovery. Muscles move joints, and are contrained in a specific sleeve known as Fascia. When this sleeve becomes restricted (crumpled up as a piece of paper would) via long-term inflammation, injury or poor biochemistry (nutrition) then we notice that the muscles do not work properly, and produce symptoms in our joints, nerves and muscles. A muscle can also become affected by increasing its sensitivity and decreasing its gain via muscle spindle and golgi tendon organ dysfunction. I've given you the medical explanation, now what?
Proprioceptive Neurological Retraining (PNF) allows us to retrain the hyper-sensitivity of the muscle spindle cells that are causing tightening and inflammation in the muscle. We are able to do this by activating Golgi Tendon Organs, which reduce activation to the muscle spindle cells, essentially inhibiting their over-firing. Once this is accomplished, the gain and sensitivity are restored and the muscle relaxes, returning to normal function. Chiropractic adjustments also work under this same principle by loading the golgi tendon organs and fast stretching the muscle, we are able to decrease muscle tension and inflammation.
Myofascial release (MFR) and (ART) work to release fascial restrictions, but also work under a similar principle as stated above. This is accomplished by shortening the muscle and applying resistance along the specific plane of the muscle, reducing tension and inflammation. The usage of one, or both techniques depends upon your specific issue.
Proprioceptive Neurological Retraining (PNF) allows us to retrain the hyper-sensitivity of the muscle spindle cells that are causing tightening and inflammation in the muscle. We are able to do this by activating Golgi Tendon Organs, which reduce activation to the muscle spindle cells, essentially inhibiting their over-firing. Once this is accomplished, the gain and sensitivity are restored and the muscle relaxes, returning to normal function. Chiropractic adjustments also work under this same principle by loading the golgi tendon organs and fast stretching the muscle, we are able to decrease muscle tension and inflammation.
Myofascial release (MFR) and (ART) work to release fascial restrictions, but also work under a similar principle as stated above. This is accomplished by shortening the muscle and applying resistance along the specific plane of the muscle, reducing tension and inflammation. The usage of one, or both techniques depends upon your specific issue.
