Free Communications, Thematic Poster Presentations: Concepts of Soft-Tissue Myofascial Treatment Techniques

Several abstracts on Concepts of Soft-Tissue Myofascial Treatment Techniques, presented at the 2016 NATA Clinical Symposia & AT Expo in Baltimore, MD as part of the NATA Foundation Free Communications Program, are presented. Foam rolling interventions alter LE biomechanics in individuals with triceps surae myofascial trigger points. Specifically, knee flexion displacement increased following the FR-V intervention, while no other differences between interventions were observed. Acute foam rolling interventions with and without vibration therapy improve LE passive ROMs, but the gains in ROM may not be sufficient to result in meaningful improvements in kinematics. After an acute bout of SMR, hamstring flexibility and dermal temperature significantly increased across all conditions. Foam rolling can be used as an effective way at increasing hamstring flexibility and dermal temperature. Data suggest that a 30-minute treatment of SPC increases blood flow in the lower extremity, which may have implications for the treatment of exercise-induced muscle damage or DOMS. Therefore making a viable option in the management of DOMS.