Cervical spine myofascial release
Cervical spine myofascial release
Chronic Week 1
Chronic Week 1
Down syndrome (Trisomy 21)
Galactosemia
Tay-Sachs disease (NORD)
Mucopolysaccharide storage disease type 1 (Hurler syndrome) (NORD)
Phenylketonuria (NORD)
Phenylketonuria (NORD): Year of the Zebra
Classical homocystinuria (NORD)
Homocystinuria
Glycogen storage disease type II (NORD)
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Abnormal heart sounds
Normal heart sounds
Development of the cardiovascular system
Fetal circulation
Aortic valve disease
Mitral valve disease
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Tricuspid valve disease
Valvular heart disease: Pathology review
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Peripheral artery disease
Peripheral artery disease: Pathology review
Vasculitis
Vasculitis: Pathology review
Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism: Pathology review
Raynaud phenomenon
Fryette laws
Diagnosing cervical somatic dysfunction
Spurling test
Cervical spine counterstrain
Cervical spine facilitated positional release
Cervical spine HVLA
Cervical muscle energy treatment
Cervical spine myofascial release
Other cervical spine treatments
Diagnosing lower limb somatic dysfunction
Special tests for the lower limb
Lower limb counterstrain
Lower limb HVLA
Lower limb muscle energy treatment
Lower limb myofascial release
Other lower limb treatments
Diagnosing lumbar spine somatic dysfunction
Lumbar muscle energy treatment
Lumbar spine counterstrain
Lumbar spine facilitated positional release
Lumbar spine HVLA
Lumbar spine myofascial release
Other lumbar spine treatments
Cranial osteopathy: Cranial nerves
Primary respiratory mechanism
Diagnosing cranial somatic dysfunction
Cranial treatments
Diagnosing pelvis somatic dysfunction
Pelvis counterstrain
Pelvis muscle energy treatment
Other pelvis treatments
Diagnosing rib somatic dysfunction
Rib counterstrain
Rib HVLA
Muscle energy for rib somatic dysfunction
Other rib treatments
Diagnosing sacral somatic dysfunction
Sacrum counterstrain
Sacrum muscle energy treatment
Sacrum myofascial release
Diagnosing thoracic spine somatic dysfunction
Thoracic spine counterstrain
Thoracic spine facilitated positional release
Thoracic spine HVLA
Thoracic muscle energy treatment
Thoracic spine myofascial release
Other thoracic spine treatments
Diagnosing upper limb somatic dysfunction
Special tests for the upper limb
Upper limb counterstrain
Upper limb HVLA
Upper limb muscle energy treatment
Upper limb myofascial release
Other upper limb treatments
Angina pectoris
Stable angina
Coronary artery disease: Clinical sciences
Coronary artery disease: Pathology review
Heart failure
Heart failure: Pathology review
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Cardiac conduction velocity
Cardiac conduction system
ECG basics
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ECG intervals
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ECG axis
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ECG cardiac hypertrophy and enlargement
Notes
Cervical spine
Cervical spine myofascial release
SUPINE CRADLING, DIRECT OR INDIRECT
- With the patient supine, sit at the head of the table
- Place palms under the patient's articular pillar at the level of dysfunction (TART changes)
- Lift upward (toward ceiling) into the patient’s paravertebral cervical tissues to engage the underlying muscles and fascia
- Assess myofascial motion inferior and superior, left and right, and torsional (twisting) to determine positions of ease and restriction
- Gently stack the tissue in all three planes of motion into the position of ease (indirect) or into the barrier (direct)
- Hold for 30–60 seconds or until a release is palpated
ANTERIOR CERVICAL / SUPRACLAVICULAR, DIRECT
- With the patient supine, stand at the head of the table
- Place thumbs and thenar eminences in the supraclavicular fossae just lateral to the sternocleidomastoid muscles
- Apply gentle downward (anterior to posterior) and inferior force
- Determine the restrictive barrier by moving the tissues left and right
- Hold the downward and inferior force, while maintaining the tissue in the restrictive (left or right) barrier, until a release is palpated
- Push the thumbs farther laterally and repeat steps 3–5 until no further improvement is noted
Author: Arman Israelyan, OMS-III
Editor: Matt Lipinski, DO
Editor: Robyn Hughes, MScBMC
Key Takeaways
Cervical spine myofascial release is a technique massage and physical therapists use to release tension in the fascia surrounding the cervical spine. The therapist will use their hands to apply pressure and stretch the fascia, which can help to relieve pain, improve range of motion, and reduce muscle spasms.
The therapist may also use heat or ice therapy before or after the treatment to further reduce inflammation and pain. Cervical spine myofascial release is a safe and effective treatment for many common neck injuries and conditions, such as whiplash and cervical spondylosis.