Can myofascial release cause acne-like breakouts?

[Don H]

Hopefully i'm posting this in the right forum....

I'm new here and just had a question about MR and possible acne outbreaks. I'm not a professional, but i have a degree in kinesiology and have researched MR and trigger points extensively after developing significant muscle imbalances due to various ankle injuries as a teen. Because of it I developed a short leg and all the compensation patterns that develop in the body because of it. I started doing MR to get my fascia to loosen up and have slowly gone back to near perfect aligment.

Along the way i realized that i was breaking out in very specific patterns. For example i broke out almost symmetrically on each trap. Same thing along the IT band, things like that. I wasnt sure if it was due to the effects of MR internally or the friction from it on the skin. However, i broke out in my temple area, where i never break out, pretty badly shortly after releasing trigger points in my head and neck. Again, it was symmetrical. Both sides and covering the exact same area. I also broke out along my lower cheek, where the jaw begins. After checking an Anatomy Trains PDF i have, i noticed the temporal and jaw fascia shown in the deep front line is exactly where i broke out. Perfect match. Since I didnt roll those areas directly, or very little, I think i can rule out skin friction.

I know it's possible for the areas to hold toxins/metabolic waste from the trigger points, so my guess is the release of the fascia created a purging effect that caused the break out, but I cant seem to find anything online making a connection to a skin breakout.


Has anyone heard of this possibility or experienced it with a client or themselves? Thanks in advance for any replies.

 

[Sandy]

Can myofascial release cause acne-like breakouts?

I've not heard or seen of such an occurrence, though this means little if this is what you are experiencing.

I know it's possible for the areas to hold toxins/metabolic waste from the trigger points, so my guess is the release of the fascia created a purging effect that caused the break out

Out of curiosity, where is this written?

 

[Rock Kills Kristy]

Can myofascial release cause acne-like breakouts?

A while back i ran into a website that mentioned toxin buildup due to trigger points. I guess the tightness in the fascia keeps the area restricted and affects circulation as well as toxins removal.

I tried to find something about it now and found this, although it's not the website i originally found:

"On the cellular level, the exchange of oxygen, fresh blood and the waste removal slows down and lactic acid builds up, causing decreased circulation, inflammation and pain in the area. Because your Trigger Points are full of toxins, they feel sore to the touch"

"This breaks up the muscle fibers within the adhesion and releases the toxins that have built up."

http://www.painfoundation.org/learn/library/pain-topics/complementary-medicine/massage-therapy/healing-pain-with-trigger.html

If you search for "trigger points toxins" there should be more results found.

Unfortunately I never saw anything stating the toxins could be expelled through the skin, although not sure, I would think this is a possibility. Based on my experience I'm almost certain there's a connection, but I'm not sure how to go about proving it. There's just too many things that coincide. Breaking out in the temporalis and masseter area after relieving my forward head posture is just one of many, but it's the most telling, since both of those muscles help keep the jaw up/closed when having forward head posture. Once a trigger point clears up I don't seem to break out in that area again. I guess I'll have to wait and see if, once i'm 100% ,the break outs end. Hopefully someone will perform some kind of study or I may just go crazy trying to prove this :undecided:

 

[Pixistiks]

Can myofascial release cause acne-like breakouts?

Personally, I try to avoid relying on the toxins theory. The word itself conveys ideas which may not be accurate in body physiology. There are by-products resulting from every interaction we have with the body. Soreness can result simply from placing sustained deep pressure into the body without the need to blame a toxin.

The toxin theory with regard to drinking water after bodywork has been dispelled in the scientific literature. I'm not sure whether blaming toxins here would hold water either.

 

[angelinaguerin23]

Can myofascial release cause acne-like breakouts?

I have noticed on one client that when I work in specific areas I have caused a acne breakout, but it is usally small and very localized. This is an area she is prone to break out, and has fought severe acne most of her life, for the most part it is under control now.

Have you had a problem with acne in the past? This may be a contributing factor. Just a thought.

 

[boffin1979]

Can myofascial release cause acne-like breakouts?

My husband breaks out when I work on him but it is a histamine reaction and not 'acne'. Doesn't matter if I use cream, single oil, or nothing at all. I know this doesn't help much but perhaps it is a similar type of reaction, just longer lasting irritation that lends itself to harboring the little beasties that cause acne.

 

[Ufo]

Can myofascial release cause acne-like breakouts?

Personally, I try to avoid relying on the toxins theory. The word itself conveys ideas which may not be accurate in body physiology. There are by-products resulting from every interaction we have with the body. Soreness can result simply from placing sustained deep pressure into the body without the need to blame a toxin.

The toxin theory with regard to drinking water after bodywork has been dispelled in the scientific literature. I'm not sure whether blaming toxins here would hold water either.

Maybe i'm an extreme case. My body aligment as been pretty bad for a while now, so perhaps it was an accumulation of different things over the years, if not toxins. I think it's safe to say if the fascia is too tight and restrictive it would interfere with anything that has to get in and out of that muscle or area in some way.

I found the original link I saw:

http://www.bonesdoctor.com/triggerpoints.html

From that i gathered that trigger points cause certain conditions that promote acne growth: Lack of oxygen, waste/toxin/fluid build up, increased temperature, sweating and dryness. Even if its not specifically toxins, i think any fluid accumulation or restriction could interfere with normal processes, like the lymph system. Or maybe it only becomes relevant when you have been prone to acne in the past?

I have noticed on one client that when I work in specific areas I have caused a acne breakout, but it is usally small and very localized. This is an area she is prone to break out, and has fought severe acne most of her life, for the most part it is under control now.

Have you had a problem with acne in the past? This may be a contributing factor. Just a thought.

Mine is pretty localized as well. The breakout in my temporalis area starts at eye level on my temple, then moves up to the outer edge of my forehead. On both sides, very symmetrical. Even more unusual is that for the most part the acne is non-inflammed whiteheads, but In the middle of all those i got one large inflammed pimple right outside the edge of my eyebrow. The weird part is it's on both sides as well. I can't reason how two symmertical patterns like that could be your average acne, as it seems to be coming from a source that is also symmetrical on each side, like a muscle.

As for my acne history, i just had acne in my teens and early 20s (i'm now 27), but it was under control for the most part for the last few years. I havent broken out as much in the top half of my face like this since I was a teen, so it's very unusual, and even back then it was spotty and not in a pattern or symmetrical.

May I ask in what area your client breaks out?

My husband breaks out when I work on him but it is a histamine reaction and not 'acne'. Doesn't matter if I use cream, single oil, or nothing at all. I know this doesn't help much but perhaps it is a similar type of reaction, just longer lasting irritation that lends itself to harboring the little beasties that cause acne.

I do have urticaria, so i break out in hives, but only in extreme cold temperatures and i havent had a break out of that in a long time. This is definitely acne though. Near the masseter, where i have beard hair, it looks more like folliculitis i guess, but i dont break out anywhere else in my beard area and it happens whether i shave or not, so i dont think it's from shaving irritation.

 

[Chase E]

Can myofascial release cause acne-like breakouts?

My thoughts are that when a practitioner performs sessions they are not only working on the muscles & fascia tissue - but also moving energy both in the meridians (energetic pathways of the body) as well as through some of the lymphatic regions when you've had a treatment done. When moving both blood & lymph in the process it may be possible that could stir things up for your skin as well. Either that or whatever oils & lotions being used (if any) during your sessions could be affecting you.

The only other thing I can think of is if your hormone levels are somehow being affected by something else, or your diet may have changed and it is a coincidence that all of this seems to be tied to the bodywork you've had.

 

[MsJamers RN]

Can myofascial release cause acne-like breakouts?

My thoughts are that when a practitioner performs sessions they are not only working on the muscles & fascia tissue - but also moving energy both in the meridians (energetic pathways of the body) as well as through some of the lymphatic regions when you've had a treatment done. When moving both blood & lymph in the process it may be possible that could stir things up for your skin as well. Either that or whatever oils & lotions being used (if any) during your sessions could be affecting you.

The only other thing I can think of is if your hormone levels are somehow being affected by something else, or your diet may have changed and it is a coincidence that all of this seems to be tied to the bodywork you've had.

I dont use any types of oils and on my neck/face i mostly use muscular reciprocal inhibition to avoid pressing a sensitive area. I do hands on MR if necessary though. I've suspected this for a while so i've been careful to keep other variables in check, i try to stick to routines, including with what i eat. I'v also made sure not to add or change anything like shaving creams or facial cleansers.

This past week I worked on my platysma, which was tighter than normal on each side, but a lot more on my left. On the left it was inhibiting my masseter and temporalis, which was evident by my inability to clench my jaw well on that side. Shortly after working on it i had a significant breakout around my jawline (on the left), which is the superior end of the platysma. I also had a breakout in the same area on the other side, but not as significant. I did use hands on MR, but only the inferior part, not on my jawline where i broke out.

So i continue to be confident that it's the release of these muscles that are causing my breakouts, but i still can't find an exact scientific connection.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Can myofascial release cause acne-like breakouts?

Just catching up on this thread, and something occurred to me.

Mine is pretty localized as well. The breakout in my temporalis area starts at eye level on my temple, then moves up to the outer edge of my forehead. On both sides, very symmetrical...
...The weird part is it's on both sides as well. I can't reason how two symmertical patterns like that could be your average acne, as it seems to be coming from a source that is also symmetrical on each side, like a muscle.

What type of cell phone do you use, and do you use it often?

I remember hearing from a friend (an iphone user) about a year ago that he'd just read an article about people who use touch screen phones having skin problems on their faces. The cause being that people touch the screen with fingers all the time, then end up putting the phone to their faces, rubbing dirt, germs and oil into their skin. Really though, it doesn't have to just be touch screen phones - any cell phone could be a culprit if you spend any time with it against your face.

Just a thought.

 

[awm_2266]

Can myofascial release cause acne-like breakouts?

Just catching up on this thread, and something occurred to me.

Mine is pretty localized as well. The breakout in my temporalis area starts at eye level on my temple, then moves up to the outer edge of my forehead. On both sides, very symmetrical...
...The weird part is it's on both sides as well. I can't reason how two symmertical patterns like that could be your average acne, as it seems to be coming from a source that is also symmetrical on each side, like a muscle.

What type of cell phone do you use, and do you use it often?

I remember hearing from a friend (an iphone user) about a year ago that he'd just read an article about people who use touch screen phones having skin problems on their faces. The cause being that people touch the screen with fingers all the time, then end up putting the phone to their faces, rubbing dirt, germs and oil into their skin. Really though, it doesn't have to just be touch screen phones - any cell phone could be a culprit if you spend any time with it against your face.

Just a thought.

Nope, not the cell phone. I already considered that, since one time i did catch myself rubbing it close to my cheek, so i've made sure not to let it touch anything but my ear for over a year now. Besides, this is too high on my face to be cell phone related, thanks for the input though.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Can myofascial release cause acne-like breakouts?

Finally i found something to back up what I was dealing with. This specifically mentions the welts/pimples i experienced and a source probably can't be more credible than Barnes. Unfortunately i've still been dealing with it, but it's less and less and i'm almost baanced everything out. Hopefully this will help someone else like it has helped me. It's really frustrating to deal with this without knowing if it's connected or not. Thanks again for the previous replies!


http://www.myofascialrelease.com/fascia_massage/articles/article_interview2.asp

Are there any waste products that are created from the disentanglement of these bound tissues that you're freeing up by this persistent pressure that you apply?

Barnes: "Yes. What seems to happen when you think of the fascia on the cellular level is that when you get fascial restrictions there's not very good circulation, respiration, elimination or fluid flow on the cellular level. So the area tends to encapsulate like an inflammation and toxins build up in their systems, their structures."

You said, 'like an inflammation.'

Barnes: "Yes. Or it can also become inflamed. As you release, many times the toxins will come to the surface, which may show up in welts, because there's also histamine embedded in the fascia and then others may actually show up as pimples. So we suggest that everybody drink a lot of water to help purify the system during the process in case that could happen."