Myofascial Release
Receiving the diagnosis of head and neck cancer (HNC) is a life changing experience. An individual who receives this diagnosis faces the possibility of undergoing surgery and/or chemo-radiotherapy (CRT). With either of these potential life-saving options, one’s ability to speak or swallow may be substantially affected. Thus, intervention from a speech-language pathologist (SLP) is needed to improve upon altered communication and dysphagia. A therapy technique that may be beneficial for individuals post HNC is myofascial release. Myofascial release is a therapeutic intervention that involves massage to the muscles and fascia. (Kelly, 2014: Myofascial, n.d; Shah & Bhalara, 2012). Fascia is the connective tissue that surrounds the muscles. There are three layers of fascia, the superficial fascia (directly under the skin), deep fascia (embedded into muscles), and subserous fascia (lines the body cavities and organs) (Kelly, 2014: Myofascial, n.d; Shah & Bhalara, 2012...