Using Myofascial Therapy to Improve Psychological Outcomes, Quality of Life, and Sexual Function in Women with Chronic Pelvic Pain-A Case Series.

(1) Background: Chronic pelvic pain represents a prevalent condition afflicting women. Research has highlighted the presence of psychological distress and sexual dysfunction in these individuals. Regrettably, myofascial pelvic pain often goes unnoticed and untreated despite its integral role in chronic pelvic pain. (2) Methods: By employing a longitudinal case series design, we studied eighteen women afflicted with chronic pelvic pain. Over a 12-week period, these participants underwent 15 sessions of myofascial therapy. Data encompassing sociodemographic particulars, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 12 questionnaire, and the Female Sexual Function Index were collected at baseline, 12 weeks post-intervention, and again at the 24-week mark. (3) Results: After a span of 12 weeks subsequent to the intervention, the participants demonstrated noteworthy enhancements (p < 0.001) in their depression and anxiety scores, their overall Mental Component scores in the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 12, as well as sexual function. Importantly, these gains were sustained at the 24-week juncture post-therapy. (4) Conclusions: The findings stemming from our prospective case study underscore the potential utility of myofascial therapy for women grappling with chronic pelvic pain. This form of intervention yields significant advancements in alleviating anxiety, depression, health-related quality of life, and sexual function.

Effect of myofascial induction therapy on post-c-section scars, more than one and a half years old. Pilot study.

Myofascial Induction Therapy (MIT) is a manually-applied method used in physiotherapy and focused on restoring altered fascial tissue. In a healthy body, the fascial system maintains elasticity and coordination of movements. However, injuries and their after-effects, such as scars, may reduce this tissue role, causing a dysfunction. The aim of this study is to ascertain the effect of MIT on scars which have completed the repair process in healthy individuals without any associated pathology that might affect the healing process. In all 10 cases studied, changes were observed after applying MIT on the structure of the scar fold, both at deep (shown by ultrasound) and at superficial (shown by scar fold measurement) levels. Eight weekly MIT sessions were applied, establishing this number as a reference for future studies. Functional improvement was determined using Schober's Test and patient quality of life was measured with a specific questionnaire. These outcomes lay the groundwork for future research.

Can myofascial techniques modify immunological parameters?

OBJECTIVES: The objective was to determine the effect of myofascial techniques on the modulation of immunological variables. DESIGN: Thirty-nine healthy male volunteers were randomly assigned to an experimental or control group. INTERVENTIONS: The experimental group underwent three manual therapy modalities: suboccipital muscle release, so-called fourth intracranial ventricle compression, and deep cervical fascia release. The control group remained in a resting position for the same time period under the same environmental conditions. OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes in counts of CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19, and natural killer (NK) cells (as immunological markers) between baseline and 20 minutes post-intervention. RESULTS: Repeated-measures ANOVA revealed a significant time × groups interaction (F(1,35)=9.33; p=0.004) for CD19. There were no significant time × group interaction effects on CD3, CD4, CD8, or NK cell counts. Intrasubject analyses showed a higher CD19 count in the experimental group post-intervention versus baseline (t=-4.02; p=0.001), with no changes in the control group (t=0.526; p=0.608). CONCLUSION: A major immunological modulation, with an increased B lymphocyte count, was observed at 20 minutes after the application of craniocervical myofascial induction techniques.

Effects of myofascial induction techniques on physiologic and psychologic parameters: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: The objective was to determine the effect of myofascial techniques on the modulation of physiologic and psychologic variables. DESIGN: Forty-one (41) healthy male volunteers were randomly assigned to an experimental or control group. INTERVENTIONS: The experimental group underwent 3 manual therapy modalities: suboccipital muscle technique, compression of fourth intracranial ventricle, and deep cervical fascia technique. The control group remained in a resting position for the same time period under the same environmental conditions. OUTCOME MEASURES: Temperature, heart rate, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) were measured before, during, and after the intervention. State and trait anxiety levels and depression level were evaluated before and after the intervention. RESULTS: Repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed a significant time x groups interaction [F = 4.7(1,40); p = 0.036] for state anxiety. There were no significant time x group interaction effects for depression [F = 0.33(1,40); p = 0.57] or trait anxiety [F = 3.76(1,40), p = 0.060]. Among physiologic parameters, a significant time x group interaction was found for systolic BP [F = 2.86(6,240); p = 0.033] and heart rate [F = 2.89(6,240); p = 0.036]. CONCLUSIONS: Psychologic modulation is observed after application of manual therapy techniques, with a decrease in state anxiety in the experimental group. Heart rate and systolic BP were modulated during the course of myofascial induction techniques. All of these effects were observed up to 20 minutes after the therapy.