Observation using thermography of post-operative reaction after fascial manipulation®.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Fascia Manipulation® is one of the methods focusing on the deep fascia. The assumption is that fascial manipulation is carried out on precisely determined points - coordination centres (cc), and on a limited area so as the friction occurring during manipulation would cause a local rise in temperature due to the inflammatory reaction. Rise in temperature influences modification in consistency of elementary matter in the manipulated area, and by the same token causing a decrease in the negative effects of fascia densification which stems from accumulation of hyaluronic acid. The purpose of the research is to prove the thesis that fascial manipulation causes local rise in temperature due to inflammatory reaction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: For the research, 25 individuals with densification in lower limb area were qualified. They were exposed to a single, 3-minute facial manipulation®. By means of a thermal-imaging camera, changes in the temperature of the body in the examined area were evaluated. The body's temperature evaluation was carried out 8 times: before the treatment, 5 minutes after the treatment, and, next, 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48 hours after the treatment. RESULTS: The average surface temperature of the treated area before mobilization was 33.4°C. A statistically relevant increase in temperature was already observed 5 minutes after the treatment (increase of 0.5°C; p<0.001). However, the highest temperature was observed 24 hours after mobilization (increase of 2.4°C). The difference between the first and 7 other measurements was statistically relevant (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The statistically relevant increase in temperature under the influence of fascial manipulation® in the treatment area can confirm the occurrence of inflammatory reaction.

Evidence for the existence of nociceptors in rat thoracolumbar fascia.

Recently, the existence of nociceptive fibers in fascia tissue has attracted much interest. Fascia can be a source of pain in several disorders such as fasciitis and non-specific low back pain. However, little is known about the properties of fascia nociceptors and possible changes of the fascia innervation by nociceptors under pathological circumstances. In this histologic study, the density of presumably nociceptive fibers and free nerve endings was determined in the three layers of the rat TLF: inner layer (IL, covering the multifidus muscle), middle layer (ML) and outer layer (OL). As markers for nociceptive fibers, antibodies to the neuropeptides CGRP and SP as well as to the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) were used. As a pathological state, inflammation of the TLF was induced with injection of complete Freund's adjuvant. The density of CGRP- and SP-positive fibers was significantly increased in the inner and outer layer of the inflamed fascia. In the thick middle layer, no inflammation-induced change occurred. In additional experiments, a neurogenic inflammation was induced in the fascia by electrical stimulation of dorsal roots. In these experiments, plasma extravasation was visible in the TLF, which is clear functional evidence for the existence of fascia nociceptors. The presence of nociceptors in the TLF and the increased density of presumably nociceptive fibers under chronic painful circumstances may explain the pain from a pathologically altered fascia. The fascia nociceptors probably contribute also to the pain in non-specific low back pain.

Electron microscopical and immunohistochemical studies on the induction of "Qi" employing needling manipulation.

During a sparrow-pecking and twisting-needle manipulation to the acupoints BL 23, 24 and 25 for an induction of "Qi", it was found that some transparent materials were binding to the needles after removed from the volunteer's skin. Electron-microscopical analysis of the transparent materials revealed that they corresponded to the injured fascia made up of collagen fibers, elastic fibers, fibroblasts, adipocytes and mast cells. Rarely were nerve fiber-like structures observed in the materials. Immunohistochemically, calcitonin gene-related peptide-positive nerve fibers could be demonstrated in the acupoint BL 24 associated fascia. A possible functional relationship between the needle manipulation and the induction of Qi-sensation is discussed along with the acupoint tissue constitution.