Final answer:
Self-myofascial techniques and static stretching should focus on hypertonic muscles, which are excessively toned and can lead to rigidity or spasticity, thus impacting movement and flexibility.
Step-by-step explanation:
Self-myofascial techniques and static stretching should focus on areas that have been determined as hypertonic during the assessment process. Hypertonic muscles exhibit an excessive level of muscle tone, sometimes leading to rigidity or spasticity, which can impact movement and flexibility. Self-myofascial release and static stretching can help alleviate the tightness found in these muscles, improving the overall muscle function and aiding in the reduction of potential muscle imbalances.
Hypertonicity is often the result of damage to upper motor neurons in the CNS and is counteractive to muscle atrophy, which involves muscle wasting and loss of muscle mass. It is also distinct from hypermobility, where joints move beyond the normal range, and isometric conditions, which refer to muscle contractions where the muscle length does not change. Therefore, manual therapy techniques like static stretching and myofascial release are appropriate interventions for hypertonic muscles.