Myofascial Release for Neck Muscles

Overseen By Daniel Cawley, DC, MSHS, MS

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Must not be taking: Muscle relaxants

Disqualifiers: Pregnancy, Diabetes, Cancer, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Approved in 1 Jurisdiction This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

Duration: 1 day

30 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial excludes people who use prescription drugs for muscles or muscle relaxants, so you would need to stop taking those medications to participate.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Myofascial Release for Neck Muscles?

Research shows that self-myofascial release (SMR) can help reduce pain and improve flexibility and strength in muscles, which suggests it might be effective for neck muscles too. Additionally, myofascial release has been found to help with pain and dysfunction in people with chronic neck pain. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is myofascial release safe for humans?

Self-myofascial release (SMR) is generally considered safe for most people and can be done at home or work using simple tools like foam rollers or balls. It is widely used by fitness and rehabilitation professionals to help with muscle recovery and flexibility. ^{1 2 4 5 6}

How is the treatment Self-Myofascial Release for neck muscles different from other treatments?

Self-Myofascial Release (SMR) is unique because it allows individuals to apply pressure to their own muscles and fascia (connective tissue) using tools like foam rolls or balls, making it a convenient and portable option that can be done at home or work without needing a therapist. ^{1 2 4 5 6}

What is the purpose of this trial?

The primary objective is to examine the influence of the suboccipital muscles on the superficial back line. The investigators will measure the following as part of this objective: * Changes in biomechanical and viscoelastic properties of points within the superficial back fascial train measured by a handheld myotonometer. * Pain pressure threshold measured by algometry. * Ankle range of motion. * Foot plantar pressure changes. All participants will have a 5-minute self-myofascial release intervention.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for individuals experiencing back pain specifically related to the muscles at the base of the skull. Participants should be interested in a self-treatment technique using an occipivot pillow. The study doesn't specify inclusion or exclusion criteria, so it's unclear who can't participate.

Inclusion Criteria

I am 19 or older and live in or near Auburn.

Exclusion Criteria

I have had surgery on my spine or leg before.

Current tobacco use

I have a neurological or musculoskeletal condition.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Baseline Assessment

Pre-Baseline measurements of muscle stiffness, ankle dorsiflexion, pain pressure threshold, and plantar foot pressure

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants undergo a 5-minute self-myofascial release intervention

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in biomechanical properties and subjective measures of stress, anxiety, and sleep quality

2-4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Self-Myofascial Release of the Upper Cervical Muscles

Trial Overview The trial tests if using an occipivot suboccipital pillow for self-myofascial release affects muscle properties, pain sensitivity, ankle movement, and foot pressure. It involves a single 5-minute intervention with measurements taken before and after.

Participant Groups

Group I: Self-Myofascial Release Treatment Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Lead Sponsor

Trials

24

Recruited

2,700+

Findings from Research

Self-myofascial release (SMR) significantly improves ankle dorsiflexion and hip flexion range of motion (ROM) in physically active men, with an average increase of about 11% and 6%, respectively.

Increasing the volume of SMR from 10 to 20 repetitions per set does not provide additional benefits, indicating that the shorter protocol is just as effective for enhancing flexibility.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Acute Effect of 2 Self-Myofascial Release Protocols on Hip and Ankle Range of Motion. de Souza, A., Sanchotene, CG., Lopes, CMDS., et al.[2022]

Self-myofascial release (SMFR) can acutely increase flexibility and reduce muscle soreness without negatively affecting athletic performance, making it a useful recovery tool.

While SMFR shows potential for improving arterial and vascular function, evidence on its long-term effects on flexibility remains inconsistent.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of self-myofascial release: A systematic review. Beardsley, C., Škarabot, J.[2022]

Myofascial release (MFR) significantly improved pressure pain thresholds in the trapezius and suboccipital muscles of individuals with chronic mechanical neck pain, based on a systematic review of 13 studies involving 601 participants.

Despite these improvements in pain thresholds, MFR did not show significant effects on overall pain levels, cervical mobility, or neck disability index, indicating that while MFR may help with specific muscle sensitivity, its broader efficacy for neck pain relief is still uncertain.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Myofascial release for the treatment of pain and dysfunction in patients with chronic mechanical neck pain: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Guo, Y., Lv, X., Zhou, Y., et al.[2023]

Self-myofascial release (SMFR), particularly through foam rolling, has been shown to significantly increase joint range of motion without negatively affecting muscle force or performance, making it a safe option for recovery and maintenance.

Despite its widespread use by health-care professionals for treating myofascial pain, there is a lack of clinical trials specifically evaluating the effectiveness of SMFR in this context, highlighting the need for further research.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of self-myofascial release on myofascial pain, muscle flexibility, and strength: A narrative review. Kalichman, L., Ben David, C.[2022]

The Multilevel rigid roller (MRR) exerts significantly higher pressure on the lateral thigh compared to the Bio-Foam roller (BFR), which may enhance the effectiveness of self-myofascial release (SMR) techniques.

The MRR has a smaller contact area than the BFR, indicating that it may provide more targeted pressure during SMR, potentially leading to better treatment outcomes for myofascial restrictions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A comparison of the pressure exerted on soft tissue by 2 myofascial rollers. Curran, PF., Fiore, RD., Crisco, JJ.[2022]

A 54-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis and collagenous colitis experienced significant improvements in pain, fatigue, gastrointestinal function, and cervical range of motion after six sessions of sustained release myofascial release (MFR) therapy over two weeks.

The positive effects on her symptoms and quality of life were maintained for five weeks after treatment, indicating that MFR may offer both short-term and long-term benefits when used alongside standard medical treatments.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Sustained release myofascial release as treatment for a patient with complications of rheumatoid arthritis and collagenous colitis: a case report. Cubick, EE., Quezada, VY., Schumer, AD., et al.[2021]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Acute Effect of 2 Self-Myofascial Release Protocols on Hip and Ankle Range of Motion. [2022]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of self-myofascial release: A systematic review. [2022]

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Myofascial release for the treatment of pain and dysfunction in patients with chronic mechanical neck pain: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. [2023]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of self-myofascial release on myofascial pain, muscle flexibility, and strength: A narrative review. [2022]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A comparison of the pressure exerted on soft tissue by 2 myofascial rollers. [2022]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Sustained release myofascial release as treatment for a patient with complications of rheumatoid arthritis and collagenous colitis: a case report. [2021]