The Effect of Flossing to Joint Range of Motion.
Condition: Muscle, Ligament and Fascia Disorders
MeSH terms: Muscular Diseases
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      This research aims to verify the effect of therapy called "tissue flossing" on the range of
      motion and examine the impact of this treatment on the Superficial fascial backline,
      described by Myers. The research aims to verify whether the thick rubber bands used to create
      a certain degree of compression in a predetermined part of the musculoskeletal system can
      help to increase the range of motion (ROM) and whether this increase in motion can be
      achieved by influencing fascial chains even in distant parts of the musculoskeletal system,
      outside the primary therapeutic zone treated by the tissue flossing method. The research aims
      to verify and especially compare the patient's joints' range of motion before and immediately
      after the tissue flossing treatment. The results of the experiment clarify the influence of
      the tissue flossing therapy method on the range of motion at the application site, on the
      range of motion in other joints within the Superficial fascial backline described by Myers
      and last but not least to prove the existence of these fascial chains in the human body.
    

Detailed description: 
      Methodology:

      The weight-bearing lunge test (WBLT) was used to evaluate the change in the ankle joint's
      range of motion. A simple forward bend test - the Thomayer test - was used to evaluate the
      therapy's effect on the Superficial fascial backline described by Myers. Both tests are
      non-invasive. Both tests can be used to evaluate the outcome of a given therapy objectively.
      Both tests are elementary to perform and highly standardized and commonly used in similar
      research.

      After completing the entrance tests, the tissue flossing method is applied to each proband.
      The treatment alone does not typically last more than 20 minutes for any proband. As part of
      the tissue flossing treatment, both lower limbs of the proband will be treated. The "tissue
      flossing" method will be applied according to the authors' standard recommendations first to
      the plantar fascia area, then to the ankle joint. Finally, the last treated structure will be
      the area of fascia cruris. The duration of each application does not exceed 2 minutes. The
      order of individual applications is determined in advance as follows: right and then left
      plantar fascia, right and then left ankle joint and right and then left fascia cruris. Each
      application will be supplemented by the standard manual treatment or supplemented by the
      proband's active movement. After a total of 6 treatments, the therapeutic unit will be
      finished, and each proband will be re-examined using the same tests as before the treatment.
      If a given proband experiences any undesirable complications during the application of the
      "tissue flossing" method or applying the given method to the proband is subjectively
      unpleasant, the given treatment will be finished immediately.
    

Intervention name(s): Thomayer test
Intervention type(s): Diagnostic Test
Intervention description(s): Testing of the ankle in sagittal line and Thomayer test before and after flossing of sole.
Other intervention name(s): Dorziflexion of an ankle
Intervention model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Prevention
Keywords: Muscle chains, fascia, range of motion, viscosity.