Introducing the FascialEdge Myofascial Tool
The FascialEdge® is an essential tool for busy hands-on practitioners. Its curved shape sits naturally in your hands. The working edges make the therapeutic contact, taking the pressure off your valuable fingers and thumbs.
Using the FascialEdge®, it`s easy to work deeper with less effort, and work longer with less strain. Importantly, your hands remain in contact with the client at all times. See feedback
The tool is 20cm (8″) long, allowing a relaxed but firm hold with either one or two hands. The tactile curves and profiles of the tool allow a perfect “fit” to tissue planes and anatomical features.
The FascialEdge® has 2 fundamental differences to other myofascial tools
The working surfaces are rounded, giving total control over the degree and direction of pressure. The FascialEdge® really can work into grooves and body contours traditional tools can’t reach.
The FascialEdge is designed to actually fold into your hands so they’re always in contact with the patient, guiding the tool and feeling for feedback. Patients naturally appreciate the manual contact.
FAQ's
Do you recommend the use of oil or some other emolliant?
No. We recommend you use the tool through a single thin layer of clothing or thin cloth. There are several reasons for this:
- Keeping skin friction to a minimum: unless a lot of oil is used, there will always be friction and dragging on skin and body hair. The FascialEdge® glides over a single layer clothing without friction or fuss.
- Patient comfort. Many of the crucial fascial planes run close to personal areas e.g. the groin & the axilla. Whilst we need to work through these regions, patients invariably prefer the comfort and modesty of retaining a layer of clothing.
- In a busy practice, applying and removing emoliant is time consuming and can be rather a fuss.
Doesn’t using a metal tool detract from the human contact with a patient?
If used alone, yes. But we recommend the initial touch and palpation is made by hand. In practice, when using the FascialEdge , one or both hands will be on the patient at all times.
How is it possible to palpate using an instrument?
We emphasise that initial and superficial palpation should be made by hand….there`s no substitute for manual touch. But soft touch sensation (from Merkels discs in the fingertips) is lost when deep pressure is applied. When carrying out deep palpation, the FascialEdge® can give feedback that fingers alone cannot.
Isn’t this just another form of Graston Technique?
No. This tool was developed independently with myofascial release in mind, working through a layer of textile rather than on the skin. But to put things into perspective, Myofascial Tools have been around for thousands of years. There are many types and brands on the market today. Research and understanding move on. This is a new modern tool for the up-to-date practitioner.
- It is one tool, rather than a set. In practice FascialEdge® is extremely versatile and meets 99% of a clinicians needs.
- The FascialEdge® was developed over many fears by a clinician specialising in fascial release work. Its contours and features are unique.
- The FascialEdge® is extremely versatile and is an ideal tool for Gua –Sha and Graston type treatments.
How do patients react to having a metal tool used on them?
Generally very well. Most patients appreciate the need for deeper and more thorough work. But we emphasise: explain, start gently and assess patient reaction at all times.
Getting Started with the FascialEdge®
Holding the Tool:
Get it right and the curves and contours of the FascialEdge® will fold into your hands naturally and comfortably. Any discomfort says you need to check your hold.
Always start with manual touch / palpation:
and let you patient know when you are going to use the tool. Run the Scanlines lightly and gently, making sure it`s pleasant and relaxing for the client. This way you can palpate large areas quickly, gaining information so you can plan investigate findings and plan your treatment approach.
Scanlines:
are patterns of massage /palpation strokes which cover most of the important muscles, myofascial planes and ligaments in a region. They are just suggestions, you can add or amend as you see fit.
Superficial Fascial Planes:
Start by using the edge of the tool with a light sweeping action. This creates a pressure wave, like the tissue-rolling action of Connective Tissue Massage and Bowen Technique, stimulating proprioceptors in the superficial fascia giving a a spontaneous release of underlying muscle tensions.
You don`t need to repeat strokes over and over ( as in Gua –Sha & Graston work). Here, we`re using a subtle a reflex technique. One good pass over each area is all that`s needed.
Release fixed / blocked spinal joints prior to doing deeper myofascial work. Deep myofascial tissues are often tight as a reflex reaction to a spinal joint fixation/blockage. There is little benefit in working over facilitated tissues before joint tensions are released.
Deeper Myofascial planes and ligaments:
Fibrosis and adhesions can be deep and widespread. Work progressively deeper according to patient tolerance. As above, don`t repeat strokes over and over.
Muscle Attachments (enthesopathies):
Tendon and ligament insertions are rich in free nerve endings and can produce severe pain and perpetuate problems. Use gentle cross friction, covering the spread of the insertion onto the bone.
Central Trigger Points
(TrPs) Use graded Ischemic compression. Place the t ip of the tool over the TP. Give a 30-40 degree twist to take up the tissue slack, and apply light pressure to patient tolerance. Hold for a count of 3 and release. Repeat 2 or 3 times. Finish with a gentle rub.
Peripheral Trigger Points:
Use round end or tip of the tool over the tendon attachment. Apply a slow (3-5 second) cross friction, first one way then the other. Start gently and work to patient tolerance.
