Myo-what? This is just the scientific name for mobilization of muscles, tendons, and other connective tissues in the body. If these muscles are tight/tender, they can affect the joints that they attach to, thereby restricting or altering the motion of that joint. We focus on loosening up these muscles prior to the adjustment to help the joint move better and improve the function of that specific muscle.
This includes:
Deep & Superficial Massage - Our massage is less about relaxation and stress relief, and more so targeted towards loosening up tight muscles that may be affecting how you move or how your spine and joints are moving. It can be uncomfortable, but the goal is not to be unbearable. It’s quick, efficient, and helps to make the adjustment go much smoother.
Myofascial Release Technique - Classically known as “Pin & Stretch”, which involves stretching the muscle under manual pressure to reduce muscle adhesions and improve the mobility of that muscle.
Percussion Massage - Use of percussion massage tools improves muscle tone and balance, relieving muscular tightness and reducing the physical stress placed on bones and joints. It increases blood circulation to bring more oxygen and nutrients into the muscle, and reduces muscle fatigue and soreness.
Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) - This is based on the classic Chinese medicine practice of “Gua Sha” that involves using a smooth stainless steel tool to scrape the skin and cause friction. This actually causes mild inflammation in the area, which in turn stimulates fresh blood flow to the area to improve circulation and speed up long-term healing.
If you have any specific questions, please Contact Us prior to coming in to our Kearny Mesa office! If you want to see how this is done, you can check out some videos on our Instagram Page as well!