Fold & Hold
Fold and Hold is a muscle pain relief technique where holding the area for a set time aids in the relaxing of the area. It is a gentle technique that places the body in a position of comfort for a period of 90 seconds which allows your body to reset its muscles to normal. This return to normal tension in the muscles sets the stage for healing.
The therapist identifies a point of maximum pain, called a tender point. Monitoring the tender point, the therapist positions the patient to maximally relieve the discomfort. The physician holds the patient in the maximally relaxed position and then slowly returns the passive patient to a neutral body position. Success of treatment is evaluated by reassessing both the tender point and any accompanying loss of range of motion.
Tender points are foci of hypertonicity resulting from reflexive muscular contracture. By doing so, the therapist breaks the reflex cycle by positioning the patient in such a way that the hypertonic tissue is maximally relaxed. This position eliminates or minimizes stimulation leading to reflex-mediated contraction. Relaxation results in restoration of range of motion and resolution of somatic dysfunction.
Fold and Hold is usually combined with other massage techniques for easier release.