[libribook.com] Traumatic Scar Tissue Management 1st Edition

Clinical Consideration
Immobilization of a muscle in a shortened position can result in stiffness
(related to fibrosed/thickened intramuscular fascia) as quickly as within 2
days of immobilization (Schleip et al. 2005). In turn, impaired mobility can
lead to chronic pain and abnormal movement patterns (Bouffard et al.
2008). Absolute perimysial stiffness is considered to be responsible for the
rapid ‘muscular’ stiffening seen during the first week of immobilization
(Williams & Goldspink 1984). It is becoming evident that the key to
effectively treating chronic contracture and ‘muscle’ stiffness may lie in the
ability to impact tissue fluid dynamics and MFB-mediated fascial tone and
fascial mobility (i.e. slide/glide).
As noted by Barbe at the FRC III in 2012, immobilization may result in
correlating grey matter shrinkage and subsequently there is a diminished or lost
ability for movement stimulus and/or coordination. Nerve regions that were
originally devoted to sensing, initiating and controlling movement lack
activity/stimulation when the region is immobilized, resulting in re-allocation of
these nerves to other functions and/or actual shrinkage of grey matter (Granert et
al. 2011).