What is Functional Range Release®?
Why was Functional Range Release® developed, and how is it different?
What is PAIL’s® (Progressive Angular Isometric Loading®)?

---

What is Functional Range Release®?

Functional Range Release is an advanced system of soft-tissue treatment based in the principles of myofascial release, but with multiple improvements.  The treatment system, in combination with the Functional Anatomic Palpation Systems® methods of palpation, focuses on the assessment, localization, and systematic treatment of soft-tissue lesions (adhesions) and areas of fibrosis (scar tissue) which develop as a result of injury, repetitive strain, and cumulative trauma.

Utilizing the trademarked PAIL's Progressive Angular Isometric Loading®) and Tissue Tension Technique®, Functional Range Release® soft-tissue management system expands on the basic tenets of myofascial-release treatments by simultaneously assessing, expanding, and strengthening the patient’s functional range of motion.  Through our seminars, the practitioner learns to not only treat tissue, but is also provided a means to assess the tissue in order to make sound clinical decisions. 
Why was Functional Range Release® developed, and how is it different?

The idea behind the Functional Range Release systems was born out of Dr. Spina's trademarked system of physical training termed Functional Range Conditioning®.  Being a long-time mixed-martial artist as well as a stretching advocate, Dr. Spina created the training system using sound,  scientific principles providing an approach to achieving incredible flexibility, along with flexible strength.

The basic premise of the conditioning system is that the tissue which is responsible for limiting a person's range of motion is not the muscle as is commonly believed.  Rather, motion is restricted due to the nervous system's control of that muscle.  The nervous system's central mechanism which controls muscle length contains a 'stretch threshold' which, when exceeded, triggers a stretch reflex causing the muscle to contract.  This threshold is set far beyond what is necessary to prevent injury. 

Therefore, while the potential for further movement exists, the central nervous system will not allow this movement to occur.  Thus, this 'safe' range is not determined by the actual flexibility or extensibility of the muscle tissue itself, but rather is the 'decision' of the central nervous system.  It is the goal of the conditioning system to simultaneously increase this threshold thus improving range of motion, while developing strength in the new extended range, termed increasing the 'functional range'.

It is well known that following an injury, there is an inherent response programmed in the central nervous system leading to the contraction of the muscles in the area of the lesion which acts as a defense system to prevent further injury.  Along with this increased muscular tension, the connective tissue surrounding the muscle fibers - endomysium, perimysium, epimisium, as well as the fascia between the soft tissues in the area now known to have the capacity to contract in very short periods of time - also tightens. 

The end result of this contraction leads to the development of restrictive scar tissue/fibrosis.  The fibrosis, having a high coefficient of friction, leads to irritation of surrounding tissues and eventual activation of pain fibers.  This tissue also has the capacity to adhere tissue structures to each other thus preventing independent movement and function, leading to biomechanical compensation patterns, aberrant movements, and dysfunction.

Considering the process outlined above, the intended target with the application of various soft-tissue therapies should not be the 'muscle' as is commonly believed, but rather the surrounding connective tissues and fascia, also known as dense irregular connective tissue.  A muscle, after all, is simply made up of contractile proteins and the innervating neural tissues, surrounded and encased in fascia and connective tissue.  In fact, fascia surrounds and connects every muscle, even the tiniest myofibril and every single organ in the body forming full-body continuity. This concept is now frequently sited in the literature discussing the application of manual care. (Click here to learn more about fascia and how the F.R.® system focuses on fascial release)

Many soft-tissue treatment techniques now claim to be focused on targeting fascia. However consider if, as mentioned above, injury leads to an increased neural drive to the muscles and a decrease in the stretch reflex threshold, then the various techniques claiming to lengthen the tissue during their application never really achieve a complete range of motion.  They will then fail to completely release the fascial tension involved in the patient's dysfunction as the muscles which provide a 'barrier' prevent movement into the end range.

Utilizing the trademarked PAIL's Progressive Angular Isometric Loading®) technique, Functional Range Release® system of soft-tissue treatment allows the practitioner to immediately reduce the patient’s stretch threshold, allowing the further release of restrictive fibrosis present in the tissues.  In addition, due to the 'isometric' contraction component of PAILS®, the treatment technique is simultaneously beginning the rehabilitation process by working on muscle contraction, activation, and endurance in the outer ranges of motion, leading to an expansion of the patient’s functional range of motion.  Functional Range Release® treatment therefore allows a more complete tissue release. 
What is PAIL's®(Progressive Angular Isometric Loading®)?

Created by Functional Anatomy Seminars.com founder Dr. Andreo A. Spina, PAIL's® is a trademarked technique utilized exclusively in the Functional Range Release® and Functional Range Conditioning® systems.  PAIL’s stands for Progressive, Angular, Isometric Loading.  The technique is utilized in conjunction with Functional Range Release® techniques, as well as for neuromuscular rehabilitation efforts for various conditions such as tendonopathies (Tendonosis), muscle strains, joint dysfunction, ligament tears, etc.

With regards to soft-tissue release, PAIL's®, similar to PIR (post-isometric 'relaxation') allows a temporary reduction in the stretch reflex threshold, thus immediately allowing an increased range of movement of a joint.  PAIL's® application however also develops strength in this newly acquired range in order that the body will expand its functional range of motion.  To further explain this we must first understand the basic premise of what is known as the 'stretch reflex'.

A reflex is the body’s automatic response to a stimulus.  One such stimulus is stretch.   For reasons of safety, the central nervous system contains a built-in 'governor' system called the 'stretch reflex', which automatically and unconsciously determines what the 'safe' range of motion is for any given movement.  When a body's tissue is lengthened past this point, the stretch reflex is triggered sending a signal to the central nervous system causing it to increase tension, tightening the muscle to prevent any further lengthening from occurring. 

An example of this reflex in action occurs when you are about to twist your ankle.  As the ankle begins to twist, the fibularis group undergoes a rapid stretch.  This triggers the stretch reflex which registers that the muscle is exceeding its 'normal' range.  The reflex then causes a rapid contraction of the Fibularis muscle to prevent further twisting from occurring, preventing injury to the muscle itself, as well as the ankle ligaments (most of the time!).

As with many of the other built-in safe-guard systems of the body, such as the inflammatory reaction to injury, the sensitivity of this safety measure’s threshold is set much too high.  Therefore, while the potential for further safe movement exists, the central nervous system will not allow this movement to occur.  Thus, this 'safe' range is not determined by the actual flexibility or extensibility of the muscle tissue itself, but rather is the 'decision' of the central nervous system.

How then does your CNS determine the stretch reflex threshold? The threshold is set by two main factors:

1.  Your previous experiences:  Your central nervous system has a tendency to want to maintain the norm.  If your body is consistently held in a shortened posture, as would be the case with office workers, truck drivers, and even people involved in many sports such as cycling, rowing, etc., your body will automatically set the stretch-reflex sensitivity very high.  Thus, when a new range of motion is attempted, the governor (stretch reflex) activates causing the muscles to automatically tighten up to prevent the movement.  This explains the far too common Upper Cross Postural Syndrome seen in many office workers, presenting as rolled-forward shoulders and anterior head carriage creating a slouched posture.

2.  Your muscles ability to function at that particular range of motion:  If your nervous system determines your tissues are not strong enough to recover from, or to control a particular range of motion, the motion will not be allowed.  For example, when one attempt’s to sink into a splits position, when the point is reached where the CNS believes it no longer possesses the ability to utilize muscular contraction to raise you back up, or to safely control further lowering, the stretch reflex is triggered causing your muscles to tighten, thus preventing you from sinking further.

PAIL's® application in injury rehabilitation utilizes techniques which produce strength and endurance in increasing ranges of movement, thus extending the functional range.  When utilized with the Functional Range Release® system it allows practitioners to simultaneously release tissue tension while commencing the rehabilitative process, which will:

• teach the CNS how to maximally recruit muscle fibers
• decrease the onset of muscular inhibition and wasting that occurs post injury
• improve neural drive to inhibited muscular tissue
• expand the range of motion in which forces can be generated (ie. expand the functional range)
• MAKE PATIENTS BETTER…..FASTER!