Fascial Manipulation Therapy
The Fascial Manipulation (FM) method is a multiplanar approach that assesses and treats the mobility of deep fascia in specific anatomical locations where motor units converge.
Fascia is the soft tissue component of the connective tissue system that permeates the body. It forms a whole-body continuous 3D matrix of structural support. It penetrates and surrounds all of the body’s vital organs, muscles, bones, tendons and nerve fibres, creating a unique physiological environment. This network of fascial connective tissue is situated to provide ongoing physiological support for the body’s metabolically active systems composed of specialised cells and tissue and stretches all over the body from the head over the back until every limb. Fascia holds everything together and gives the body healthy pain free motion as the layers slide over hyaluronan. It plays a very important role in the body’s posture and coordinated movement, while muscles are more connected with joint movement.
Fascia has an enormous density of receptors and free nerve endings. The amount of free nerve endings may be up to seven times more numerous than other mechanoreceptors. This enhances the importance of fascial layers as a sensory system, sensing when the body is moving or being touched. Free nerve endings can sense temperature, mechanical stimuli and nociception. Some studies show that pain from the fascia can be even more aggravating than pain from muscles.
Soft tissue becomes dense, stiff and ridged as the body ages and accumulate damage. Possible sources for this include past injury, normal use over time, natural aging, overuse, under use, dehydration and trauma. This increase in tissue density alters movement and causes pain and other symptoms in the joints and the soft tissues. As the density builds up, normal movement is changed resulting in dysfunctions in the body. These lead to damage in the soft tissues and surrounding nerves, muscles, joints and even organs. Chronic pain is the result if left untreated.
Stecco Method of Fascial Manipulation is performed to reverse this accumulation of density and damage. This starts with a movement analysis and identification of the primary densities in the soft tissue, which are causing pain. We then use deep friction until the density between the layers becomes more fluid, with the heat and mechanical action of the treatment. The patient frequently experiences immediate symptoms of relief and improved range of motion after each session.
Treatment
- approximately 8-10 treatment points per treatment
- after 15 mins the inflammatory reaction begins
- after 12 h the peak of reactions will be reached
- after 48 h the inflammatory reaction ends
- the next treatment can be after 7 days
When to use FM
- Pain
- Tenderness, tightness, crookedness
- Dysfunctions
- Lameness
- Problems in performing, jumping, trotting, cantering, competing, unbalanced movement patterns
When NOT to use FM
- Fever
- Infection, inflammation
- Acute injuries
- Skin lesion
- Non-cooperative animals
- Heavy medication
