myoActivation® for Chronic Pain Care That Changes the Biotensegral Properties of the Human Body: A Motion Laboratory
Jessica Luo1,2, Lise Leveille3,2,4, Nicholas West2
1Faculty of Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, CAN.
Abstract:
The human body is a biotensegral structure capable of bending and twisting in multiple directions as a functional, integrated movement unit, while maintaining balance and an ability to return to any pre-movement position. Myofascial dysfunction caused by soft tissue stiffness - muscles in sustained contraction, tethered skin, scars, or anomalous fascial tension - can affect the whole fascial continuum, leading to mobility impairment and chronic pain. Myofascial dysfunction is not just a local phenomenon, as the range of motion at one skeletal articulation may affect the whole system. myoActivation® is a structured assessment and therapeutic process designed to recognize and manage myofascial dysfunction and chronic pain. The Complex Pain Service at British Columbia's Children's Hospital utilizes myoActivation® as a tool in the interdisciplinary care of adolescents with a myofascial component to their chronic pain. This case report illustrates how myoActivation® can improve movements at distal joints, not just those that were predicted to change based on the soft tissues treated. A 16-year-old female with a complex surgical history for embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of the bladder presented with a one-year history of right-sided chronic low back pain. Imaging and bloodwork investigations were unremarkable. On assessment by the Complex Pain Service, signs of myofascial dysfunction were identified, including active trigger points in skeletal muscles, fascial restrictions, and scar involvement. Targeted muscle activation, as well as scar and fascial release, were performed over a course of four myoActivation® sessions. Objective Clinical Motion Analysis using motion capture technology demonstrated improved maximum range of motion and/or speed of motion in 55% of her movement tests after the initial myoActivation® session and in 100% of assessed movement tests by the final session. Improvements were observed not only in expected areas but also in distal joints, supporting the biotensegral model of human movement. The patient reported reduced pain, increased engagement in daily activities, and full functional recovery without the need for ongoing analgesia. This case demonstrates that myoActivation® impacts the human body's biotensegral properties. The improvements observed across both proximal and distal movement patterns underscore the importance of considering the biotensegral nature of the body in medicine.
