Robert Schleip

Technical University of Munich

Introduction: Health professionals and bodyworkers may be pivotal in promoting prevention programs, providing tailored advice and guidance to patients’ adherence to self-care strategies, such as physical activity. Contemporary evidence encourages manual therapists to involve patients in decision-making and treatment procedures integrating passive a...

The research methods were used to investigate the following questions: Does a mobility training intervention change tissue stiffness, joint range of motion, and compensate for possible imbalances? Do the interventions influence the pressure pain threshold and the overall well-being?

Faszien waren lange Zeit ein wenig beachtetes Gewebe, bis um sie ein regelrechter Hype entstand. In der Forschung verdeutlicht sich ihre Bedeutung für die Gesundheit des Bewegungsapparates. So zeigt es sich, dass Faszien eine wichtige Rolle bei der Entstehung von Beschwerden wie Rückenschmerzen oder bei Zerrverletzungen spielen. In der Sportmedizin...

Background Axial spondyloarthritis (AxSpA) produces structural changes that cause alterations in body functions. One tissue that seems to have a predictive role in the etiology and progression of the disease is the soft tissue, particularly the fascia. However, little is known about the use of myofascial induction in people with AxSpA, and clinical...

(1) Background: Globally, neck pain is prevalent, affecting around thirty percent of the population annually. To better understand the influence of pain on the myofascial layers, the present study investigated these on the upper trapezius muscle in unilateral, more severe neck pain. (2) Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study. Forty patient...

Background. Most methods for soft tissue stiffness assessment require high financial resources, significant technical effort, or extensive therapist training. The PACT Sense device was developed to be used in a wide range of applications and user groups. However, to date, there are no data on its validity and reliability. The aim of this study was...

Running is one of the most popular sports worldwide motivating many non-athletic people to start new physical activities. But especially novice runners are at risk to develop injuries as they tend to run with prejudicial posture. Hence, there has been considerable research to identify factors improving running performance. One of these factors is t...

(1) Background: Globally, neck pain is prevalent, affecting around thirty percent of the population annually. To better understand the influence of pain on the myofascial layers, the present study investigated these on the upper trapezius muscle in unilateral, more severe neck pain. (2) Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study. Forty patient...

Recently, it has been shown that the extramuscular connective tissue (ECT) is likely involved in delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of maximal trunk extension eccentric exercise (EE) on ECT thickness, self-reported DOMS, ECT stiffness, skin temperature, and possible correlati...

Recently, it has been shown that the extramuscular connective tissue (ECT) is likely involved in delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of maximal trunk extension eccentric exercise (EE) on ECT thickness, self-reported DOMS, ECT stiffness, skin temperature, and possible correlati...

Immediate effects of myofascial release treatment on lumbar microcirculation: a randomized, placebo controlled trial

Background Alterations in posture, lumbopelvic kinematics, and movement patterns are commonly seen in patients with low back pain. Therefore, strengthening the posterior muscle chain has been shown to result in significant improvement in pain and disability status. Recent studies suggest that thoracolumbar fascia (TLF) has a major impact on the mai...

Background: Assessment of myofascial tissue stiffness have a role in identifying physical impairments in plantar fasciopathy (PF). It is still unclear which specific functional and tissue differences exist between individuals with PF. Aim: To compare myofascial stiffness of plantar fascia, Achilles tendon, and triceps surae between symptomatic a...

Laser therapeutic applications, such as the use of high energy lasers (HILT), are widely used in physical therapy, but basic studies on the mechanisms of action of HILT on tendinous/ligamentous tissue are largely lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate microcirculatory changes of the patellar tendon by HILT. 21 healthy volunteers were inc...

Teil 1 der 2-teiligen Artikelserie zu diesem Thema. Teil 2 erscheint in der nächsten Ausgabe des Journals.

Purpose: Fascial changes in hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS), a heritable connective tissue disorder, can be used visualized with sonoelastography. The purpose of this study was to explore the inter-fascial gliding characteristics in hEDS. Methods: In 9 subjects, the right iliotibial tract was examined with ultrasonography. Tissue displ...

Fascia and muscles interact in the living organism in different ways, depend-ing on the load on this complex. In an energy conservation mode, the fascia elements are stretched and then recoiled without a strong muscle contrac-tion. In a power amplification mode, the fascia is stretched by a rapid concen-tric muscle contraction and subsequent recoil...

(1) Background: Inflammatory processes in the thoracolumbar fascia (TLF) lead to thickening, compaction, and fibrosis and are thought to contribute to the development of nonspecific low back pain (nLBP). The blood flow (BF) of fascial tissue may play a critical role in this process, as it may promote hypoxia-induced inflammation. The primary object...

Background: Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) is thought to alter fluid dynamics in human soft tissue. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of IASTM on the thoracolumbar fascia (TLF) on the water content of the lumbar myofascial tissue. Methods: In total, 21 healthy volunteers were treated with IASTM. Before...

Changes in the mechanical properties (i.e., stiffness) of soft tissues have been linked to musculoskeletal disorders, pain conditions, and cancer biology, leading to a rising demand for diagnostic methods. Despite the general availability of different stiffness measurement tools, it is unclear as to which are best suited for different tissue types...

Background: Instrument-assisted manual therapy (IAMT) is indicated to improve flexibility, reduce pain, and induce hyperaemia locally and along myofascial chains. The underlying effects are largely unclear. This randomised, placebo-controlled pilot study aimed to gain first insights into these effects, primarily on the structural level, through ul...

Background: The thoracolumbar fascia (TLF) is thought to play a role in the development of LBP, but it is not yet clear which factor of TLF changes is a cause and which is an effect. Therefore, some studies used the cross-correlation function (CCR) to reveal time-dependent relationships between biomechanical and neuromotor factors. Methods: Ten pat...

Background: Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) is thought to alter fluid dynamics in human soft tissue. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of IASTM on the thoracolumbar fascia (TLF) on the water content of the lumbar myofascial tissue. Methods: 21 healthy volunteers were treated with IASTM. Before and after t...

Background: Inflammatory processes in the thoracolumbar fascia lead to thickening, compaction, and fibrosis and are thought to contribute to the development of nonspecific low back pain (nLBP). The circulation of fascial tissue may play a critical role in this process, as it may promote hypoxia-induced inflammation. This study examined the influenc...

Inflammatory processes in the thoracolumbar fascia lead to thickening, compaction, and fibrosis and are thought to contribute to the development of nonspecific low back pain (nLBP). The blood circulation of fascial tissue may play a critical role in this process, as it may promote hypoxia-induced inflammation. This study examined the influence of t...

Background: Recent work has investigated significant force transmission between the components of myofascial chains. Misalignments in the body due to fascial thickening and shortening can therefore lead to complex compensatory patterns. For the treatment of such nonlinear cause-effect pathology, comprehensive neuromusculoskeletal therapy such as t...

The estimated number of nerve endings in the body-wide fascial system is 250 million. Compared with the estimated 200 million nerve endings in the skin, this suggests the human fascial network constitutes, in fact, our richest sensory organ. Research shows that emotional stress may exert significant influences on the expression of m myofascial pain...

Laser therapeutic applications, such as the use of high energy lasers (HILT), are widely used in physical therapy, but basic studies on the mechanisms of action of HILT on tendinous/ligamentous tissue are largely lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate microcirculatory changes of the patellar tendon by HILT. 21 healthy volunteers were tre...

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women. Treatments can lead to complications modifying upper limbs movement patterns and generating pain and functionality loss. Kinesiotherapy and myofascial reorganization (MR) have shown positive effects reducing chronic pain and improving upper limbs function. We hypothesize tha...

Background: The thoracolumbar fascia (TLF) is thought to play a role in the development of LBP, but it is not yet clear which factor of TLF changes is a cause and which is an effect. Therefore, some studies used the cross-correlation function (CCR) to reveal time-dependent relationships between biomechanical and neuromotor factors. Methods: Ten pat...

Background: Recent work has examined an association between leg length discrepancy (LLD) and low back pain. Myofascial release (MFR) techniques are thought to be frequently applied in the treatment of chronic and acute low back pain (LBP). The purpose of this study was to evaluate a practical measure of LLD and the feasibility of an MFR technique i...

Changes in the mechanical properties (i.e., stiffness) of soft tissues have been linked to musculoskeletal disorders, pain conditions, and cancer biology, leading to a rising demand for diagnostic methods. Despite the general availability of different stiffness assessment tools (SAT), it is unclear as to which are best suited for different tissue t...

Background: Recent work has investigated significant force transmission between the components of myofascial chains. Misalignments in the body due to fascial thickening and shortening can therefore lead to complex compensatory patterns. For the treatment of such nonlinear cause-effect pathology, a comprehensive neuro-musculoskeletal therapy such as...

Changes in tissue stiffness are associated with pathological conditions such as myofascial pain and increased risk of muscle injury. Furthermore, they have been shown to modify performance indicators such as running economy or jump height. Indentometry is an affordable way to assess tissue stiffness. However, to date, there is a paucity of studies...

The superficial fascia has only recently been recognized as a specific anatomical structure. Furthermore, whereas it is actually recognized that the innervation of the deep/muscular fascia plays a key role in proprioception and nociception, there are very few studies that have analyzed these characteristics in the superficial fascia. In this work,...

Background: Fibromyalgia (FM) is considered a stress-related disorder characterized mainly by chronic widespread pain. Its pathogenesis is unknown, but cumulative evidence points at dysfunctional transmitter systems and inflammatory biomarkers that may underlie the major symptoms of the condition. This study aimed to evaluate pain scores (primary...

Reply to comment

Background The myofascial system plays a fundamental role in the mechanics of the body, in body tension regulation and the etiology of pathological states like chronic pain. Moreover, it contains contractile elements and preliminary evidence suggests that its properties are linked to psychological factors. The aim of the present research was to inv...

Prior studies have shown that self- and manual massage (SMM) increases flexibility in non-adjacent body areas. It is unclear whether this also influences performance in terms of force generation. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of SMM on the plantar surface on performance in the dorsal kinetic chain. Seventeen young participants took...

Dr. Robert Schleip (RS), Humanbiologe, Dipl.-Psychologe und Faszienforscher, trifft auf den Physio- und Manualtherapeuten sowie Autor zahlreicher Fachbücher Frans van den Berg (FB) (Abb. 1).

Immediate Effects of Myofascial Release on the Thoracolumbar Fascia and Osteopathic Treatment for Acute Low Back Pain on Spine Shape Parameters: A RCT

Background: Foam rolling is a type of self-massage using tools such as foam or roller sticks. However, to date, there is no consensus on contraindications and cautions of foam rolling. A methodological approach to narrow that research gap is to obtain reliable opinions of expert groups. The aim of the study was to develop experts' consensus on con...

Background and purpose Nonspecific neck pain (NNP) is a common idiopathic disorder in the general population that affects the trapezius muscle (TM) and blood supply, thereby compromising the fascial system. Myofascial reorganization (MR) is a physical therapy technique that can influence the dynamics of local fluids reducing excessive muscle tensio...

Nociceptive innervation of the thoracolumbar fascia (TLF) has been investigated over the past few decades; however, these studies have not been compiled or collectively appraised. The purpose of this scoping review was to assess current knowledge regarding nociceptive innervation of the TLF to better inform future mechanistic and clinical TLF resea...

Decrease of leg length discrepancy and kyphotic angle in patients with acute low back pain through osteopathic treatment and myofascial release. An RCT

Background: Spine shape parameters, such as leg length and kyphotic or lordotic angle, are influenced by low back pain. There is also evidence that the thoracolumbar fascia plays a role in such pathologies. This study examined the immediate effects of a myofascial release (MFR) technique on the thoracolumbar fascia and of an osteopathic treatment...

Nociceptive innervation of the thoracolumbar fascia (TLF) has been investigated over decades, however these studies have not been compiled or collectively appraised. The purpose of this scoping review was to assess current knowledge regarding nociceptive innervation of the TLF to better inform future mechanistic and clinical TLF research targeting...

Low back pain (LBP) is a leading cause of disability. It significantly impacts the patient’s quality of life, limits their daily living activities, and reduces their work productivity. To reduce the burden of LBP, several pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment options are available. This review summarizes the role of superficial heat the...

(1) Background: Clinical approaches have depicted interconnectivity between the Achilles tendon and the plantar fascia. This concept has been applied in rehabilitation, prevention, and in conservative management plans, yet potential anatomical and histological connection is not fully understood. (2) Objective: To explore the possible explanation th...

Background: Spine shape parameters, such as leg length, kyphotic or lordotic angle, are influenced by low back pain. There is also evidence that the thoracolumbar fascia plays a role in such pa-thologies. This study examined the immediate effects of a myofascial release technique (MFR) on the thoracolumbar fascia and of an osteopathic treatment (OM...

Low back pain (LBP) is a leading cause of disability. It significantly impacts the patient’s quality of life, limits their daily living activities, and reduces work productivity. To reduce the burden of LBP, several pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment options are available. This review summarizes the role of heat therapy in the manage...

Fibrotic diseases are still a serious concern for public health, due to their high prevalence, complex etiology, and lack of successful treatments. Fibrosis consists of excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix components. As a result, the structure and function of tissues are impaired, thus potentially leading to organ failure and death in se...

Background: Recent work has examined an association between leg length discrepancy (LLD) and acute low back pain (aLBP). Myofascial release (MFR) techniques are thought to be frequently applied in the treatment of aLBP. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a practical measure of LLD and the feasibility of an MFR technique in a randomised con-t...

Musculoskeletal pain is often associated with pain referred to adjacent areas or skin. So far, no study has analyzed the somatosensory changes of the skin after the stimulation of different underlying fasciae. The current study aimed to investigate heterotopic somatosensory crosstalk between deep tissue (muscle or fascia) and superficial tissue (sk...

Introduction ; Maintaining flexibility, often defined as range of motion (ROM), is important. Recently, self-massage using a foam roller (FR) has been used in clinical and/or sports settings to effectively and immediately improve ROM. Many studies have found significant increases in ROM following the FR intervention; however, the mechanism of the e...

Background: Foam rolling is a type of self massage using tools such as foam rollers or roller massagers. As no consensus on contraindications and cautions of foam rolling exists to date, current suggestions in the literature are drawn from the field of therapeutic massage. A methodological approach to help closing the gap in the current research la...

The management of pelvic floor dysfunctions might need to be based on a comprehensive neuro-musculoskeletal therapy such as The Rolf Method of Structural Integration (SI). The aim of the study was to evaluate the pelvic floor muscle (PFM) after the tenth session of SI by using surface electromyography (sEMG). This was a randomized, interventional s...

Fascia can become rigid and assume a fibrotic pattern due to inflammatory processes. Manipulation of the fascial system (MFS), manual technique targeting connective tissues, is commonly used in clinical practice in pain management. We aimed to verify MFS effects on the connective tissue inflammatory changes in mice. Swiss Mus musculus male mice (n...

Introduction: There are multiple theories surrounding the physiological impact of structural integration (SI) with little evidence or research corroborating any of these. The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of 10 sessions of SI on fascial tissue (FT) superficial blood perfusion, stiffness, and elasticity in 13 healthy women. Metho...

Mental imagery (MI) research has mainly focused to date on mechanisms of effect and performance gains associated with muscle and neural tissues. MI's potential to affect fascia has rarely been considered. This paper conceptualizes ways that MI might mutually interact with fascial tissue to support performance and cognitive functions by, among other...

Background Manual palpation is a core skill in physical examination. Assessing elastic properties such as tissue stiffness has the potential for being an important diagnostics tool in the detection of cancer and other diseases. Objective The study describes the newly developed Stiffness Comparison Test (SCT). The aim of our study was to test the S...

Aging is a one-way process associated with profound structural and functional changes in the organism. Indeed, the neuromuscular system undergoes a wide remodeling, which involves muscles, fascia, and the central and peripheral nervous systems. As a result, intrinsic features of tissues, as well as their functional and structural coupling, are affe...