What type of inhibition do myofascial techniques rely on to decrease excitability of muscle tissue?

Myofascial techniques rely on autogenic inhibition to decrease the excitability of muscle tissue. This physiological mechanism occurs when a muscle is subjected to a sustained stretch or tension, leading to a reflexive relaxation of that muscle. This is primarily facilitated by the Golgi tendon organs, which are sensory receptors located within the tendons of muscles. When the tension in the muscle increases, the Golgi tendon organs signal the central nervous system to inhibit the muscle's contraction, effectively reducing muscle tension and promoting relaxation.

In the context of myofascial release or similar techniques, the application of pressure or stretch to the fascia and muscle tissue can engage this autogenic inhibition response, allowing for improved flexibility and reduced pain. This makes autogenic inhibition a vital concept for understanding how myofascial techniques function to relieve muscle tension and enhance recovery.

Other types of inhibition, such as reciprocal inhibition and receptive inhibition, operate differently and do not specifically describe the mechanism utilized in myofascial techniques. Reciprocal inhibition involves the relaxation of one muscle (the antagonist) when the opposite muscle (the agonist) contracts, which is not the primary goal of myofascial techniques. Receptive inhibition is mainly related to sensory pathways and does not pertain directly