Release Technique

Release Technique (in Manual Therapy and Corrective Exercise): Release techniques are a group of interventions that generally intend to improve mobility by decreasing tone, tension, density, or activity. These techniques most often include pressure, position, vibration, mobilization, manipulation, or needling of soft tissue.

Related Terms:

Release Techniques Likely Result In:

Decrease Muscle Activity: Research has demonstrated that these techniques "normalize" muscle over-activity. That is, these techniques are likely to reduce the activity of muscles that exhibit over-activity correlated with dysfunction but are unlikely to have any effect on muscles that exhibit normal activity.
Decrease Signs of Active and Latent Trigger Points: Most release techniques either explicitly target trigger points (e.g., ischemic compression, dry needling, etc.) or have a positive effect on trigger points (e.g., muscle energy technique).
Improve Mobility: Most release techniques can be included in the broader category of mobility techniques. Addressing muscles that exhibit signs of over-activity most often improves muscle extensibility and joint range of motion.
Fascial Extensibility: Although the response of fascia to release techniques is complex, some evidence suggests a positive effect on mobility, shear between layers, and remodeling of collagen matrix affected by dysfunction, injury, or surgery.

Term Confusion:

The term "release" in the context of manual therapy and corrective exercise: In rehabilitation, performance, and manual therapy settings, release generally refers to the feeling of a reduction in tissue tone, tension, density, or activity in response to a release technique. Again, this term was adopted because of the "feeling" that accompanies the technique. Generally, these techniques result in a feeling of a taut band "melting under the fingers," a trigger point "letting go," or a "release" of tension in a muscle that feels "tight." This term is not a reference to a specific mechanism or a mechanical change in tissue. It is distinct from the way a physician or surgeon may use the term, as in to "release a tissue," which may imply cutting a tissue's attachment to a structure (e.g., release the piriformis from its attachment on the greater trochanter).

Neuromuscular Reflex

The mechanism that results in a feeling of "release" is likely a complex set of mechanical changes and neuromuscular reflexes (for example, the processes depicted in the Schleip Model of Tissue Manipulation); however, it is assumed that "autogenic inhibition " plays the most considerable role, as a result of stimulating Golgi tendon organ. Additional receptors may include Ruffini endings and Pacinian corpuscles may also play a role in the neuromuscular reflexes associated with release, as these receptors are sensitive to deformation of tissue, touch, pressure, and vibration.