General Soft tissue updates

Bodywork News - September 2015

Great news everyone. Joe Muscolino will teach clinical orthopedic massage therapy in Sydney in November. Early Bird fee ends this month. Following on, Ron Alexander's Functional Fascial Taping in Sydney, Gold Coast & Adelaide. As we are moving to the digital age, in collaboration with Real Bodywork, now we offer online videos. Get your favorite massage DVDs now streamed to your laptop, tablet or smart phones. Print off a certificate once you completed the course. For a limited time we offer a 10% discount. Art Riggs' new DVD on Integrated Deep Tissue Massage is available as DVD and online download. We also secure a 10% for digital download. Check it out below. In case you missed it, we have our Free E-magazine, It is a completely free 60 pages of information from top authors in their field. In this edition we have a special Feature on Biotensegrity. Check it out! Like Us on our new Facebook page where will post the latest news and research.

When it comes to touch, to give is to receive

In a series of studies led by Aikaterini Fotopoulou of the University College London, participants consistently rated the skin of another person as being softer than their own, whether or not it really was softer. The researchers suggest that this phenomenon may exist to ensure that humans are motivated to build social bonds through touch.

"What is intriguing about the illusion is its specificity," says Antje Gentsch, also of the University College London. "We found the illusion to be strongest when the stroking was applied intentionally and according to the optimal properties of the specialized system in the skin for receiving affective touch."

This system typically responds to slow, gentle stroking found in intimate relationships and encodes the pleasure of touch, Gentsch explains. In other words, this "social softness illusion" in the mind of the touch-giver is selective to the body parts and the stroking speeds that are most likely to elicit pleasure in the receiver.

"The illusion reveals a largely automatic and unconscious mechanism by which 'giving pleasure is receiving pleasure' in the touch domain," Fotopoulou says.

In fact, social touch plays a powerful role in human life, from infancy to old age, with beneficial effects on physical and mental health. Many studies have focused on the benefits of touch for the person receiving it. For instance, premature infants benefit greatly from time spent in direct physical contact with their mothers. Yet, Fotopoulou and her colleagues say, remarkably little is known about the psychological benefits of actively touching others.

Earlier studies showed that softness and smoothness stimulate parts of the brain associated with emotion and reward. Therefore, this "illusion" that other people are softer ensures that reaching out and touching another person comes as its own reward.

This rewarding illusion acts as a kind of "social glue," bonding people to each other. For example, touching a baby in a gentle manner seems to give the mother tactile pleasure, the researchers say, over and above any other thoughts or feelings the mother may have in the moment.

Fotopoulou says the next step is to examine the neurophysiological mechanisms involved in giving affective touch. They are also curious to examine any differences that may exist in the experience of this softness illusion among partners, friends, and strangers.

CLINICAL ORTHOPEDIC MANUAL THERAPY with Joe Muscolino

Early Bird Fee until end of September. Experience a hands-on training by Dr. Joe Muscolino, author and teacher with more than 15 years of experience. Joint Mobilization & Stretching of the Thoracic Spine and Ribcage: 31 October & 1 November 2015, Sydney Covers the major clinical orthopedic assessment and treatment techniques for the thoracic spine and ribcage Athrofascial Streching, 2 & 3 November 2015, Sydney. Covers motion palpation and joint mobilisation of the entire spine (cervical, thoracic, and lumbar) as well as the sacroiliac joint. More info here.

Iliotibial band stores and releases elastic energy during running

A New study published in Journal of Experimental Biology and the Journal of Biomechanics examined how the iliotibial band stores and releases elastic energy to make walking and running more efficient.

“We found that the human IT band has the capacity to store 15 to 20 times more elastic energy per body mass than its much-less-developed precursor structure in a chimp,” “We looked at the IT band’s capacity to store energy during running, and we found its energy-storage capacity is substantially greater during running than walking, and that’s partly because running is a much springier gait. We don’t know whether the IT band evolved for running or walking; it could have evolved for walking and later evolved to play a larger role in running.”

The notion that the IT band acts as a spring to aid in locomotion runs counter to the decades-old belief that its primary function is to stabilize the hip during walking.

“Unlike many clinicians and anatomists, we use the lens of evolution to think about how humans are adapted not just for walking, but also for running, so we look at the IT band from a totally different perspective,” Lieberman said. “When we looked at the difference between a chimp and a human, we saw this big elastic band, and the immediate idea that leapt out at us was that the IT band looked like another elastic structure, like the Achilles tendon, that might be important in saving energy during locomotion, especially running.”

To understand what role the IT band plays in locomotion, the researchers developed a computer model to estimate how much it stretched ― and by extension, how much energy it stored — during walking and running.

One part of the IT band stretches as the limb swings backward, Eng explained, storing elastic energy. That stored energy is then released as the leg swings forward during a stride, potentially resulting in energy savings.

“It’s like recycling energy,” Eng said. “Replacing muscles with these passive rubber bands makes moving more economical. There are a lot of unique features in human limbs — like long legs and large joints — that are adaptations for bipedal locomotion, and the IT band just stood out as something that could potentially play a role in making running and possibly even walking more economical.” From: http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2015/08/understanding-the-it-band/

Art Riggs' Integrated Full Body Deep Tissue Massage Now available as hard copy DVD or online digital download.

This extensive new set (seven DVDs totaling over 9 hours) was created to blend the myofascial therapeutic philosophy and techniques into a fluid deep tissue massage, For digital download, goto here and Enter "3733" code to obtain a 10% discount For hard copy DVD, purchase it here

Risk Factors of Lower Back Pain

Research presented at the 2015 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) in June identifies nicotine dependence, obesity, alcohol abuse and depressive disorders as risk factors for low back pain, a common condition causing disability, missed work, high medical costs and diminished life quality.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) 2012 National Health Survey, nearly one-third of U.S. adults reported that they had suffered from low back pain during the previous three months. For many adults, low back pain is debilitating and chronic. Determining modifiable risk factors for low back pain could help avoid or diminish the financial and emotional costs of this condition.

Researchers reviewed electronic records of more than 26 million patients from 13 health care systems across the U.S., including 1.2 million patients diagnosed with low back pain (approximately 4.54 percent of the patient records).

The review found that 19.3 percent of the patients diagnosed with a depressive disorder reported lower back pain, as did 16.75 percent of patients diagnosed as obese (a body mass index, or BMI, >30kg/m²), 16.53 percent of the patients diagnosed with nicotine dependence, and 14.66 percent with reported alcohol abuse. Patients with nicotine dependence, obesity, depressive disorders, and alcohol abuse were had "statistically significant" relative risks of 4.489, 6.007, 5.511 and 3.326 for low back pain, respectively, when compared to other patients.

Functional Fascial Taping

Functional Fascial Taping® (FFT )is a unique way to assess and apply tape for musculoskeletal pathologies creating an immediate analgesic effect and increase in range of motion. This innovative technique can complement most treatments of musculoskeletal pathologies. Gold Coast 14/15 November, Sydney 21/22 November, Adelaide 28/29 November. More info here

Top Best Sellers (August 2015)

1. Functional Atlas of Human Fascia

2. Piriformis

3. Muscle and Bone Palpation Manual

4. Deep Tissue Massage & NMT

5. Fascia in Sport & Movement

Advanced Myofascial Techniques

Larry Koliha and Bethany Ward from Advanced-trainings.com will present cutting-edge techniques that you can use immediately to start solving some of your most difficult client challenges. Perth: 11-13 November: Neck, jaw and head Canberra: 18 -20 November: Neck, jaw and head

Sydney: 25 - 27 November: Leg, knee and foot

We also made an arrangement with AMT that Terra Rosa customers & members will receive a 15% discount, Email us at terrarosa@gmail.com to receive a discount code. Register by filling this form.

Upcoming events 2015

CORE Myofascial Therapy with George Kousaleos

CORE Myofascial Therapy 1: 25,26,27 Sept 2015. , Sydney CORE Myofascial Therapy 2: 28.39,30 Sept . Sydney CORE Myofascial Therapy for the Back & Neck: 3,4 October 2015, SydneyCORE Sport and Performance Bodywork: 9,10,11 October. Brisbane AMT, ATMS, IRMA, MAA Approved CE. More Info here

Clinical Orthopedic Manual Therapy with Joe Muscolino

Joe will be back in Sydney in 2015 with NEW Workshops. Oct 31, Nov 1: Joint Mobilization and Stretching of the Thoracic Spine and Ribcage Nov 2 & 3: Arthrofascial Stretching (Joint Mobilization for Manual Therapists) AMT & ATMS Approved CE. More info here

Functional Fascial Taping with Ron Alexander

Functional Fascial Taping® (FFT ) is a unique way to assess and apply tape for musculoskeletal pathologies creating an immediate analgesic effect and increase in range of motion. It is an Evidence-Based Treatment! This innovative technique can complement most treatments of musculoskeletal pathologies. Gold Coast 14/15 November, Sydney 21/22 November, Adelaide 28/29 November AAMT, AMT & ATMS Approved CE. Register here

New Books

Functional Atlas of the Human Fascial System

Prof. Carla Stecco presents for the first time a global view of fasciae and the actual connections that describe the myofascial kinetic chains. These descriptions help to explain how fascia plays a part in myofascial dysfunction and disease as well as how it may alter muscle function and disturb proprioceptive input. In STOCK! Healing through Trigger Point Therapy Devin J. Starlanyl and John Sharkey explain how trigger points work as symptom generators that can refer pain to other parts of the body, creating a cascade of dysfunction. Fibromyalgia and myofascial pain are seriously misunderstood conditions that cause needless distress and expense to millions worldwide. Trigger points are a component of all chronic pain, and the main cause of pain in fibromyalgia. This book shows care providers and patients how to prevent or relieve these common generators of pain and dysfunction. Advanced Myofascial Techniques, Volume 1, by Til Luchau, is a beautiful, information-packed guides to highly effective manual therapy techniques. Focusing on conditions of the shoulder, wrist, pelvis, sacrum, leg, and foot. In Stock!

Yoga: Fascia, Anatomy and Movement by Jo Avison. The presentation provides a new context for applying knowledge of the anatomical body in a practical and relevant way to movement. Applying fascial anatomy to yoga, the book offers a way for the yoga teacher of experiencing and seeing in three dimensions – the way we really move. in Stock Fascia in Sport & Movement by Robert Schleip covers most current research and theory to underpin practice. It provides relevant clinical applications for sport and movement, and gives the manual therapist information on how different activities influence the body and the kind of injuries that might occur. Sold out the first release the USA. #1 in Physical Medicine! Muscle and Bone Palpation Manual 2nd Edition by Joe Muscolino. This comprehensive and visually engaging coverage takes an in-depth look at palpation of muscle and bone along with trigger points and their pain referral patterns, stretching, specific muscle treatment, and more. New additions includes a full set of therapist assisted stretching figures with proper draping shown. Also a great digital feature that allows the therapist to print out sheets of paper with the self-care stretching figures to give to the client. Erik Dalton’s Advanced Myoskeletal Techniques will revolutionize your approach to treating complex pain and injury conditions. The new revised 3rd edition feature a hardback 408 pages, full colour illustrated book eloquently blends exciting new muscle/joint research with eighty innovative hands-on techniques. Biotensegrity – the structural basis of life by Graham Scarr. This book brings everything together for the first time, The Fascial Network, from its discovery, the basic geometry, significance and anatomy to its assimilation into current biomechanical theory as a much needed reference. The Concise Book of Trigger Points, Third Edition The book is designed in an easy reference format to offer useful information about the trigger points relating to the main skeletal muscles Containing full-colour illustrations, it is a compact reference guide, and explains how to treat chronic pain through trigger points; tender, painful nodules that form in muscle fibers and connective tissues.

New DVDs

Deep Tissue Massage : An Integrated Full Body Approach with Art Riggs Coordinating Deep Tissue and Myofascial Release into a Fluid Bodywork Session. We move from A to Z, covering the whole body in a common sequence of beginning in prone, moving to supine with a whole segment devoted to the important side-lying position. With great detail on strategies and techniques.

Qudratus Lumborum: A Guide for Manual and Movement Therapists

Dr. Joe Muscolino discusses in detail QL, its anatomy, assessments, and treatments! QL frequently involves in back pain, and can affect breathing, the lumbar spine and walking. CranioSacral Biodynamics Vol 2: The Hard Palate Judah Lyons will guide you through progressive Listening Skills in a lifetime journey. In this second series, we explore the hard palate and its intricate movements and interplay with the cranial vault. Judah teaches using a great deal more graphic presentations to familiarize the student with the movements of the hard palate.

Advanced Myofascial Techniques: TMJ and Jaw Issues Til Luchau shows the complete way to learn advanced myofascial techniques that dramatically improve your ability to work safely and effectively with jaw and TMJ pain, TMJD, bite and alignment issues, ear and sinus complaints, and more. Piriformis: A Guide for Manual and Movement Therapists

This 2-DVD set is a must for all manual therapists. Dr. Joe Muscolino discusses in detail Piriformis, one of the most important muscles in the body, its anatomy, assessments, and treatments! Plantar Fasciitis Protocol. gives you a proven template to help you access and treat the pain of plantar fasciitis and other related syndromes of the foot that are so prevalent in our practices.

RSI Protocol, you are given a proven template to help you access and treat the pain of carpal tunnel syndrome and other repetitive stress injuries that are so prevalent in our practices. Nei Gong In this easy-to-follow 2 DVD set program, Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming teaches comprehensive theory so you may understand how nei gong can be trained correctly to gradually develop substantial internal power.