Myofascial Pain Syndrome Support Group

Myofascial Pain Syndrome (or MPS) is a term used to describe one of the conditions characterized by chronic pain. It is associated with and caused by "trigger points" (TrPs), sensitive and painful areas between the muscle and fascia. The symptoms can range from referred pain through myofascial trigger points to specific pains in other areas of the body. It may be related...

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Brain & Nervous System
/ Myofascial Pain Syndrome Support Group

Hanna Somatics

Katty2
Katty2
Please read Daffodil22's post on 6/11 under the topic Hot Yoga. She is now pain free after working with a Certified Hanna Somatics practitioner. This is not a therapy like myofascial release, but a program that consists " not of physical exercises but of Somatic Exercises", which "offers specific procedures for making changes in the sensory-motor areas of the brain in order to maintain internal control of the muscle system." I highly recommend reading the book Somatics by Thomas Hanna to really understand the premise behind the program. This program gets at the underlying causes of pain. For a certified practitioner check out the website www.hannasomatics.com. Now that I can walk on my sprained ankle and fit into my shoe again, I intend to set up an appointment with a practitioner who is fairly close to me. I have had chronic myofascial pain for 15 years, so I will let you know if this works for me like it did for Daffodil22.
chimerical
chimerical
I looked up Hanna Somatics and the center is sort of near me. Then I talked to my massage therapist and she told me what it was. In fact she does it to me sometimes. I press or pull against her hand and then release. It does get the muscles to release, but I don't see how it can have any neurological component. Of course these are just a few exercises scattered throughout the hour.

She told me this complicated story about how the guy who invented this technique died (a car wreck) right after he had taught it to the first class of students. His widow, who was not part of this first class, had the right to use the name, though.

Here is the official version of the story:

http://hannasomatics.com/index.php/about_somatics/history_and_founder/
richsimm22
richsimm22
I have loads of hanna somatics audio mp3s and stuff if anyone is interested
Katty2
Katty2
It didn't work for me, because the exercises are repetitive, which always increases my pain. I also think that if I didn't have myofascial pain throughout my body, it might have worked. I would recommend it for those who have pain in a localized area.

I am still doing Restorative Yoga, which I like a lot, but have to listen to my body so as not to over stretch.