Efficacy of myofascial release techniques in the treatment of primary Raynaud's phenomenon.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated whether myofascial release techniques performed on upper body connective tissue could mitigate the frequency, duration or pain intensity associated with primary Raynaud's phenomenon.


METHODS
Five treatments were administered over a 3-week treatment period on a 35-year-old female experiencing primary Raynaud's phenomenon for the past 12 years. A log was kept documenting frequency, duration and severity of pain. The myofascial work targeted the upper back, neck and arms according to hypothetical fascial meridian lines.


RESULTS
Symptom duration was the one characteristic that showed improvement. After the first treatment, the duration of the subject's vasospastic episodes was reduced by almost half and continued to decrease throughout the 3 weeks of treatments. Neither the frequency or number of affected digits varied significantly from the pre-treatment weeks.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that by releasing restricted fascia, myofascial techniques may influence the duration and severity of the vasospastic episodes experienced in primary Raynaud's phenomenon.
Walton
Anne
A
Kiné-Concept Institute Ontario, Ontario, Canada. awalton@hotmail.com
D000328:Adult; D005205:Fascia / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers / Q000098:blood supply; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology; D059408:Pain Management; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011928:Raynaud Disease / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000502:physiology