Myofascial release technique on spinal deformities: a narrative review

Background and aim: Myofascial release (MFR) is a form of manual therapy that involves applying pressure to the muscles and fascia in order to soften and stretch the myofascial complex. This therapy aims to restore optimal muscle length, reduce pain, and enhance overall function. The goal of the current review was to investigate the effects of MFR on spinal deformities, including scoliosis, hyperkyphosis, and hyperlordosis.

Materials and Methods: The search was conducted using the PICO method from inception until November 2024 in the PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and ISI Web of Knowledge databases, applying OR and AND operators. The search focused on two main sections of PICO: Population and Intervention. The inclusion criteria for the studies were as follows: 1) participants must have any spinal deformities, including scoliosis, hyperkyphosis, or hyperlordosis (or a combination of these), and 2) the therapeutic intervention must be massage therapy utilizing the MFR technique for these individuals. Studies that implemented the MFR technique for conditions other than the three deformities mentioned above, or those that used corrective exercises without MFR in individuals with scoliosis, hyperkyphosis, or hyperlordosis, were excluded from this review.

Results: A total of 11 studies were included based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Among these, 5 studies focused on scoliosis, 3 studies examined hyperkyphosis, and another 3 studies investigated hyperlordosis. The research methodologies varied: five studies were case reports, four were single-blind randomized clinical trials, and two were single-group quasi-experimental studies. Overall, the findings indicated that the MFR technique resulted in pain reduction, decreased spinal deformity in the affected areas, and improved range of motion. Moreover, the combination of MFR with corrective exercises demonstrated more effective results on these parameters compared to either MFR or corrective exercises used individually.

Conclusion: The MFR technique can effectively reduce spinal deformities, and improve pain and range of motion in the spine. Combining MFR with corrective exercises can lead to greater improvements in these outcomes than either MFR or corrective exercises alone.