Editing Osteopathy (section)

=== Myofascial release ===
{{Main|Myofascial release}}
''Myofascial release'' is a form of alternative treatment. The practitioners claim to treat skeletal muscle immobility and pain by relaxing contracted muscles. Palpatory feedback by the practitioner is said to be an integral part to achieving a release of myofascial tissues,<ref name="aacom">{{cite web |title=Glossary of Osteopathic Terminology, November 2011 Edition |url=http://www.aacom.org/resources/bookstore/Pages/glossary.aspx |publisher=[[American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine|AACOM]] |pages=30–31 |access-date=1 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120721233437/http://www.aacom.org/resources/bookstore/Pages/glossary.aspx |archive-date=21 July 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> accomplished by relaxing contracted muscles, increasing circulation and lymphatic drainage, and stimulating the [[stretch reflex]] of muscles and overlying [[fascia]].<ref name=DiGiovanna_80>{{Harvnb|DiGiovanna|Schiowitz|Dowling|2005|p=80}}</ref>

Practitioners who perform myofascial release consider the fascia and its corresponding muscle to be the main targets of their procedure, but assert that other tissue may be affected as well, including other connective tissue.<ref name=DiGiovanna_80 /> Fascia is the [[soft tissue]] component of the [[connective tissue]] that provides support and protection for most structures within the human body, including [[muscle]]. This soft tissue can become restricted due to [[psychogenic disease]], overuse, trauma, infectious agents, or inactivity, often resulting in pain, muscle tension, and corresponding [[ischemia|diminished blood flow]].{{sfn|DiGiovanna|Schiowitz|Dowling|2005|pp=80–1}}

Some osteopaths search for small lumps of tissue, called "Chapman release points" as part of their diagnostic procedure.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Chila |first1=Anthony G. |title=Foundations of Osteopathic Medicine |date=2010 |publisher=Lippincott Williams & Wilkins |isbn=9780781766715 |page=568 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_ZR6elRmQKEC&pg=PA568 |language=en |via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref>