The objective was to determine the effect of myofascial techniques on the modulation of immunological variables.
Design:
Thirty-nine healthy male volunteers were randomly assigned to an experimental or control group.
Interventions:
The experimental group underwent three manual therapy modalities: suboccipital muscle release, so-called fourth intracranial ventricle compression, and deep cervical fascia release. The control group remained in a resting position for the same time period under the same environmental conditions.
Outcome measures:
Changes in counts of CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19, and natural killer (NK) cells (as immunological markers) between baseline and 20 minutes post-intervention.
Results:
Repeated-measures ANOVA revealed a significant time×groups interaction (F1,35=9.33; p=0.004) for CD19. There were no significant time×group interaction effects on CD3, CD4, CD8, or NK cell counts. Intrasubject analyses showed a higher CD19 count in the experimental group post-intervention versus baseline (t=−4.02; p=0.001), with no changes in the control group (t=0.526; p=0.608).
Conclusion:
A major immunological modulation, with an increased B lymphocyte count, was observed at 20 minutes after the application of craniocervical myofascial induction techniques.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
André-KeshaysC, BerthozA. Eye-head coupling in humans. Simultaneous recording of isolated motor units in dorsal neck muscles and horizontal eye movements. Exp Brain Res, 1988; 69:399–406.
FratzlP, MisofK, ZizakIet al.Fibrillar structure and mechanical properties of collagen. J Struct Biol, 1998; 122:119–122.
4.
LiuJX, ThornellLE, Domellof-PedrosaF. Muscle spindles in the deep muscles of the human neck: a morphological and immunocytochemical study. J Histochem Cytochem, 2003; 51:175–186.
5.
RemovingL. Fascia Research. Myofascial release: 5.4.5: An evidence based treatment concept. Munich, Germany: Elsevier, Urban & Fischer, 2007; 140.
WrightDG, RennelsDC. A study of the elastic properties of plantar fascia. J Bone Joint Surg Am, 1964; 46:482–492.
9.
VaticonD. Sensibilidad Miofascial, El Sistema Craneosacro como la unidad biodinámica, Libro de Ponencias XIX Jornadas de Fisioterapia. Madrid: EUF ONCE, 2009; 24–30.
10.
LangevinHM. Connective tissue: a body-wide signaling network?Med Hypotheses, 2006; 66:1074–1077.
11.
HuijingPA. Epimuscular myofascial force transmission: a historical review and implications for new research. J Biomech, 2009; 42:9–21.
12.
HamweeJ. Zero balancing: touching the energy of bone. Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books, 1999.
13.
EvansP. The healing process at cellular level: a review. Physiotherapy, 1980; 66:256–259.
14.
ChaitowL. Cranial Manipulation Theory and Practice. London: Churchill Livingstone, 1999.
15.
UpledgerJE. Holistic View of Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome. Palm Beach Gardens. FL: The Upleger Institute, 1996.
16.
BradfordS. Role of osteopathic therapy in emotional disorders: a physiology hypothesis. JAMA, 1965; 64:484–493.
17.
HallgrenRC, GreenmanPE, RechtienJJ. Atrophy of suboccipital muscles in patients with chronic pain: a pilot study. J Am Osteopath Assoc, 1994; 94:1032–1038.
18.
McPartlandJM, BrodeurRR, HallgrenRC. Chronic neck pain, standing balance, and suboccipital muscle atrophy: a pilot study. J Manipulative Physiol Ther, 1997; 20:24–29.
19.
UpledgerJ. Craniosacral Therapy II: Beyond the Dura Craniosacral Therapy II: Beyond the Dura. Seattle, WA: Eastland Press, 1987.
BeringEA. Circulation of the cerebrospinal fluid: demonstration of the choroid plexus as the generator of the force for flow of fluid and ventricular enlargement. J Neurosurg, 1962; 19:405–413.
22.
Fernández-PérezAM, FríasMB, PilatAet al.Respuesta Fisiológica tras Inducción Miofascial. Experiencia Piloto [In Spanish]Cuestiones de Fisioterapia, Fisioterapia Actual, 2004; 26:77–80.
23.
Arroyo-MoralesM, OleaN, MartínezM, Moreno-LorenzoCet al.Effects of myofascial release after high intensity exercise. A randomized clinical trial. J Manip Phys Ther, 2008; 31:217–223.
24.
Fernandez-PerezAM, Peralta-RamirezMI, PilatA, VillaverdeC. Effects of myofascial induction techniques on physiologic and psychologic parameters: a randomized controlled trial. J Altern Complement Med, 2008; 14:807–811.
Costa-PintoFA, Palermo-NetoJ. Neuroimmune interactions in stress. Neuroimmunomodulation, 2010; 17:196–199.
27.
KimuraK, IsowaT, OhiraH, MurashimaS. Temporal variation of acute stress responses in sympathetic nervous and immune systems. Biol Psychol, 2005; 70:131–139.
28.
Fernández-LaoC, Cantarero-VillanuevaI, Díaz-RodríguezL, Fernández-de-las-PeñasC, Sanchez-SaladoC, Arroyo-MoralesM. The influence of patient attitude toward massage on pressure pain sensitivity and immune system after application of myofascial release in breast cancer survivors: a randomized controlled crossover study. J Manip Phys Ther, 2012; 35:94–100.
29.
Arroyo-MoralesM, OleaN, RuízC, del Castilo JdeD, MartínezM, LorenzoC, Díaz RodríguezL. Massage after exercise–responses of immunologic and endocrine markers: a randomized single-blind placebo-controlled study. J Strength Cond Res, 2009; 23:638–644.
Post-WhiteJ, FitzgeraldM, HagenessS, SencerSF. Complementary and alternative medicine use in children with cancer and general and specialty pediatrics. J Pediatr Oncol Nurs, 2009; 26:7–15.
32.
DiegoMA, FieldT, Hernandez-ReifM, ShawK, FriedmanL, IronsonG. HIV adolescents show improved immune function following massage therapy. Int J Neurosci, 2001; 106:35–45.
BeckAT, SteerRA, GarbinMG. Psychometric properties of the Beck Depression Inventory: twenty-five years of evaluation. Clin Psychol Rev, 1988; 8:77–100.
35.
PilatA, TestaM, Tensegridad. El Sistema Craneosacro como la unidad biodinámica, Libro de Ponencias XIX Jornadas de Fisioterapia. 2009; 95–111. ONCE: Madrid.
36.
Saíz-LlamosasJR, Fernández-PérezAM, Fajardo-RodríguezMF, PilatA, Valenza-DemetG, Fernández-de-Las-PeñasC. Changes in neck mobility and pressure pain threshold levels following a cervical myofascial induction technique in pain-free healthy subjects. J Manipulative Physiol Ther, 2009; 32:352–357.
37.
TedderTF, ZhouLJ, EngelP. The CD19/CD21 signal transduction complex of B lymphocytes. Immunol Today, 1994; 15:437–441.
