• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.35-41
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• 2021

Purpose : It is necessary to demonstrate the effect of non-invasive and non-pharmacological interventions such as manual therapy and therapeutic exercise for the management of nonspecific neck pain. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the efficacy of myofascial release therapy plus therapeutic exercise for disability owing to neck pain and quality of life in individuals with nonspecific neck pain. Methods : Eighteen participants with nonspecific neck pain were randomly allocated to intervention (n=9) and control groups (n=9). The intervention group received a myofascial release therapy for 20 min and performed neck stabilization exercises for 30 min twice a week for 4 weeks. The control group performed neck stabilization exercises for 30 min twice a week for 4 weeks at the same time points as the intervention group. Disability owing to neck pain and quality of life were quantified using the neck disability index (NDI) and the Korean version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF), respectively. NDI and WHOQOL-BREF were assessed before and after intervention. Results : The disability owing to neck pain significantly changed between the groups over time (total score of NDI, p=.049). There were significant time and group interactions in pain (pain intensity of NDI, p=.035) and concentration (concentration of NDI, p=.049). Personal care, lifting, reading, headaches, work, driving, sleeping, and recreation did not show significant improvement between the groups over time. Total score, overall quality of life and general health, physical health domain, psychological domain, social relationships domain, and environmental domain quantified by WHOQOL-BREF did not show significant improvements between the groups over time. Conclusion : These results suggest the clinical use of myofascial release therapy in addition to therapeutic exercise for the management of nonspecific neck pain. Further studies are needed to generalize the findings of this study.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.1-9
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• 2020

PURPOSE: The current generation has shortened hamstrings due to a sedentary lifestyle, resulting in reduced flexibility of the hamstring and dysfunction. This study was undertaken to compare effects of three different release exercises on hamstring flexibility, in participants with short hamstrings. METHODS: Totally, 20 subjects having short hamstrings were involved in this study. The inclusion criterion for study participation was active knee extension test (AKET) less than 60°. All participants were subjected to 3 methods: hamstring foam roller release (HFRR), sitting self myofascial release (sitting SMR), and standing self myofascial release (Standing SMR). All participants randomly performed all three methods to avoid bias caused by learning or fatigue. Passive knee extension test (PKET), AKET, finger to floor distance test (FTFT), and pelvic tilting angle test (PTAT) were measured pre- and post-exercises. RESULTS: The PKET, AKET and FTFT were significantly increased after HFRR, sitting SMR, and standing SMR exercise (p < .05). However, PTAT was not significantly increased after the three exercises (p > .05). Furthermore, no significant differences were observed between PKET, AKET, FTFT and PTAT subsequent to HFRR, sitting SMR, and standing SMR (p > .05). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that HFRR, sitting SMR and standing SMR were immediately effective in improving hamstring flexibility in participants with short hamstrings.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2018

Purpose: Myofascial release (MFR) is an effective treatment for improving muscle stiffness and balance in neurological patients. This study examined long-term effects of MFR on the balance ability of stroke patients. Methods: MFR using a tennis ball was applied to the lower extremity and sacroiliac joint of the affected side of four stroke patients. The four subjects performed the Berg balance scale (BBS) and Timed up and go (TUG) test at the beginning of an 8-week intervention, directly after the intervention, and 2 years later. Results: The BBS scores indicated a trend toward maintenance of balance (p=0.05), but there was no difference in the TUG time (p=0.47). Conclusion: MFR may be a clinically meaningful intervention to maintain balance in stroke patients over a long period. However, the sample size in this study was too small to draw general conclusions. A larger study with more participants is needed.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.201-204
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the immediate effects of alternative treatment methods in lowering the blood pressure and pulse of prehypertensive patients. Methods: A total of 48 prehypertensive patients were randomly divided into 4 groups of 12 patients and each group received a different intervention. The control group was made to rest, the heat pack (HP) group received heat pack treatment, the ultrasound (US) group received an ultrasound massage, and the myofascial release (MFR) group received myofascial release. The blood pressure and pulse rate were measured before and after intervention. Results: Following intervention, the patients of the MFR group showed a decrease in systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, and pulse rate. Although blood pressure was similar in all groups, a significant decrease in pulse rate was seen in the MFR group compared to others. Conclusion: The application of MFR was shown to be an effective method for lowering the blood pressure and pulse rate in prehypertensive patients.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.31-39
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• 2006

Objectives: The objective of this study is to investigate the change of Myofascial Meridian treatment as literature. Methods: We arranged many kinds of medical literature related to Myofascial Meridian treatment. Results: The Myofascial Meridian treatment originated from Young-Chu(靈樞) was developed for many centuries. Conclusion: The modern western treatment like Myofascial Pain Syndrome therapy, Rolling therapy, Myofascial Release, Proproioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation and Kinesio taping treatment is thought to be connected with Myofasical Meridian treatment.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.769-777
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 8 weeks Self-Myofascial Release exercise on body composition, vascular and metabolic functions in obese female college students. The subjects were 19 obese female college students (n = 9) who were randomly assigned to an exercise group(n=9) and control group(n=9), with an exception of except 1 abandonment. The Self-Myofascial Release exercise group performed exercises twice a week for 8 weeks and for 40 minutes at one time using a foam roller, and the control group maintained normal life pattern for the same period. Body composition was measured by body weight, body fat percentage, vascular function was measured by pulse wave velocity(PWV), augmentation index(AIx), brachial artery vascular flow-mediated dilation(FMD), and metabolic function was measured by fasting glucose and triglyceride levels. The Self-Myofascial Release exercise with foam roller showed no significant effect on body weight and body fat percentage. The Self-Myofascial Release exercise with foam roller showed no significant effect on heart rate, FMD, PWV but, SBP, CSBP and AIx were significant decreased. The Self-Myofascial Release exercise with foam roller showed no significant effect on fasting glucose and triglyceride levels. In conclusion, 8-week Self-Myofascial Release exercise for obese female college students showed no significant effect on body composition and metabolic function, but improved SBP, CSBP and AIx levels significantly. Therefore, Self-Myofascial Release exercise will be an effective way to improve the vascular function of obese female college students.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.109-116
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• 2022

PURPOSE: This study compared the effect of performing gastrocnemius stretching with and without the self-myofascial release of the sole on the active and passive ankle dorsiflexion angles and muscle tone of the gastrocnemius muscle in subjects with short gastrocnemius muscle. METHOD: A total of 23 subjects with short gastrocnemius muscles were included in this study. The study participants were divided into two experimental groups. Group A performed gastrocnemius muscle self-stretching exercises only, while group B performed self-myofascial release of the sole using a massage ball after the gastrocnemius muscle self-stretching exercises. For both groups, the active and passive ankle dorsiflexion angles were measured using a goniometer, and the tone of the gastrocnemius muscle was assessed using the MyotonPRO®. RESULTS: Within-group comparison showed that the participants in both groups A and B had significantly increased active and passive ankle dorsiflexion angles and decreased gastrocnemius muscle tone (p < .05) after performing their respective exercises. However, no significant differences in the said criteria were observed between groups A and B (p>.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that both methods were effective in increasing active and passive dorsiflexion angles and decreasing muscle tone. Thus, it is recommended to tailor gastrocnemius stretching exercises according to the patient's condition. If the patient does not experience discomfort in the plantar fasciae, it is recommended to perform the gastrocnemius stretching exercise only without myofascial release and use a massage ball afterward.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.70-78
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• 2022

Background: Individuals with calf muscle shortening may have decreased dynamic balance. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the effect of mobilization with movement (MWM) and myofascial release (MFR) on kinematic changes in dynamic balance in individuals with calf muscle shortening. Methods: Thirteen participants were randomly assigned to the MWM or the mobilization with movement added myofascial release (MWM-MFR) group. The MWM group received treatment with only MWM, whereas the MWM-MFR group was treated with MWM and MFR. Pre- and post-intervention passive range of motion (PROM), maximum reaching lengths, and modified star excursion balance test (MSEBT) results were compared for all participants. Wilcoxon signed-rank test and Mann-Whitney U test were used for statistical analysis. Results: The results showed significant within-group differences in ankle PROM, but no significant between-group differences. The maximum reaching length in the MWM-MFR group in the posterolateral direction was significantly different before and after the intervention (p = 0.005). This group also showed significantly reduced ankle abduction in MSEBT during the posteromedial direction section 3 (p = 0.007) and posterolateral direction section 5 (p = 0.049) compared with the MWM group. Conclusion: Combined MWM and MFR intervention improves ankle stability in the coronal plane during the posteromedial and posterolateral forward movement in dynamic balance compared with only MWM in individuals with calf shortening.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.1-8
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• 2010

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the Influence of Infra red(IR) and myofascial release(MRF) on the range of motion and pain in persons with neck pain. Methods : 24 subjects with neck pain participated in the experiment. All subject randomly assigned to the IR group and MFR group. Both groups receive 10minutes, 3 times per week during 3 weeks period. laser exercise(LEX) used to measure range of motion of neck and visual analog scale(VAS) used to measure pain. All measurements of each subject were measured at pre-treatment and post-treatment. Results : 1. The neck flexion, extension, right-sidebending, left-rotation, right-rotation range of motion of MFR group was significantly increased.(P<0.05). 2. The neck left-sidebending, left-rotation, right-rotation range of motion of IR group was significantly increased.(P<0.05). 3. As to compare two group, MFR group increases ROM more than IR group. Conclusion : These data suggests that MFR is more beneficial than IR.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.59-65
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• 2012

Objectives: This study is designed to report the valid result of complex of Chuna Therapy and Myofascial Release Technique(MRT) on scoliosis patients. Methods: The correction program for scoliosis takes 3 month per case. Chuna Therapy and MRT were given once a week and other oriental medicine care was given twice a week to care the complications of scoliosis. The Cobb's angle(by X-ray, Full spine view) and Visual analogue scale(VAS) were evaluated before and after the treatments. Results: After the program, both of Cobb's angle and VAS decreased. Conclusions: Though it is a case report, we found Chuna Therapy and MRT might have valid effect on scoliosis patients. Further rigorous case series and controlled trials are warranted.