Soft Tissue Mobilization in Grantwood Village, MO | IASTM | Physical Therapy

Soft tissue mobilization in Grantwood Village, MO. Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization is essential for treating numerous musculoskeletal conditions. This treatment method, centered around working on and easing soft tissue including the muscles, ligaments, and tendons, doesn’t just help reduce pain short term, but brings back functionality and boosts the body’s natural healing process, helping our Grantwood Village, MO patients get better faster and more effectively. Soft tissue mobilization is ideal for Grantwood Village, MO patients who want to avoid surgery or medications.

Axes Physical Therapy is operated and owned locally by a team of seasoned Grantwood Village, MO physical and occupational therapists. We combine our expertise with enhancing our patients’ lives with research-supported treatment methods to get Grantwood Village, MO residents back to the things they love doing most. Whether you’re dealing with an acute injury, chronic discomfort, or post-surgical rehab, Axes Physical Therapy will work closely with you to develop a treatment plan tailored to your condition, lifestyle, and goals. Get in touch through our website, call the Axes most convenient to you, or come to any location for a complimentary injury screening to start on your road to recovery today.

What Is Soft Tissue Mobilization?

Soft tissue mobilization is a healing treatment method used in physical therapy to treat conditions affecting the soft tissues of the body, which are the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. This approach incorporates various hands-on methods including gentle strokes to deeper pressure, suited to your specific needs. It’s a crucial element in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, providing relief and re-establishing function to areas compromised by injury, a medical condition, or chronic conditions.

About Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM)

Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) is a refined form of soft tissue mobilization that uses specialized tools for deeper and more targeted tissue manipulation. Based on James Cyriax‘s deep friction massage, this method involves tools constructed of materials like stainless steel or hard plastic. Designed to fit to different anatomical areas, these tools are designed to effectively break down scar tissue and fascial restrictions. IASTM techniques enable therapists to diagnose and treat areas with soft tissue fibrosis or chronic inflammation. The application of these tools enhances the physical therapist’s ability to uncover adhesions and restrictions in the soft tissues, and exerts precise pressure to encourage the body’s natural healing process.

Soft Tissue Mobilization and Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (ISTYM) Techniques

Soft tissue mobilization includes a range of specific therapies, each tailored to address specific types of tissue issues and patient needs:

Manual Soft Tissue Mobilization Techniques

Massage: One of the most well-known forms, massage involves various strokes and pressures to manipulate soft tissues. It can improve circulation, relieve muscle tension, and promote relaxation.
Myofascial Release: This technique targets releasing tension in the fascia. Practitioners utilize gentle, sustained pressure to release fascial restrictions and increase mobility.
Trigger Point Dry Needling and Trigger Point Therapy: This method addresses trigger points, which are hyperirritable muscles that lead to pain and discomfort. Pressure is applied to these points to encourage blood flow to the area and reduce pain.
Active Release Techniques (ART): ART melds patient movement with soft tissue mobilization to break up scar tissue in muscles and other soft tissues, aiming to bring back range of motion.
Cross-Friction Massage: A crosswise massage technique performed perpendicular to the affected tissue. It’s often used for tendons and ligaments to enhance circulation and promote healing.
Lymphatic Drainage: A gentle technique intended to stimulate the lymphatic system, which carries waste away from tissues and minimizes inflammation, usually for patients with lymphedema.
Stretching and Range of Motion Exercises: These are often incorporated into manual soft tissue mobilization to increase flexibility and range of motion. They can be performed either with active involvement from the patient on by the therapist themselves.
Joint Mobilization: Consists of passive movement of a joint by the therapist to increase motion and reduce pain. It’s often used in combination with other soft tissue techniques.

Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) Techniques

Astym® Therapy: Uses specific protocols and instruments to restore healthy soft tissues and clear away unwanted adhesions.
Graston Technique®: Employs stainless steel instruments to minimize restrictions by stretching connective tissues so that their structure is rearranged.
HawkGrips® Therapy: Utilizes an array of precision-engineered tools aimed at decrease pain in minutes, increase range of motion, and diminish the necessity of medication and surgery.

Each of the above treatment methods has been proven by peer-backed studies to have its unique applications and benefits, and one of our qualified Grantwood Village, MO physical therapists can tailor these techniques to your individual needs. We’ll utilize these techniques, in combination with other therapies and patient education, to aid in your recovery and get you back to what you love doing most.

Benefits of Soft Tissue Mobilization for Grantwood Village, MO Patients

Soft tissue mobilization, when conducted by licensed Grantwood Village, MO physical therapists such as those at Axes, offers a multitude of benefits to Grantwood Village, MO patients experiencing various musculoskeletal conditions. Here’s an in-depth look at some of the key advantages:

Accelerated Healing Process —
- Improved Blood Flow: Soft tissue mobilization techniques improve blood flow to the affected area, supplying essential nutrients and oxygen to injured areas, thus speeding up the healing process.
- Reduced Inflammation: These techniques aid in minimizing inflammation and swelling in affected areas, which is crucial for healing.
- Breakdown of Scar Tissue: Specifically with IASTM, the breakdown of scar tissue facilitates quicker healing of healthy tissue.
Improvement in Tissue Alignment and Function —
- Restoration of Normal Tissue Function: By releasing tension and restrictions in soft tissues, these techniques bring back normal function and range of motion.
- Improved Flexibility: Regular soft tissue mobilization can lead to improved flexibility and strength in the muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
- Alignment Correction: These methods can help in realigning collagen fibers and better the overall structure of soft tissues.
Reduction of Pain and Increased Mobility —
- Pain Relief: Soft tissue mobilization is beneficial in minimizing chronic pain and discomfort connected to various conditions.
- Increased Mobility: By targeting the underlying causes of stiffness and immobility, these techniques help patients achieve their full range of motion.
- Prevention of Future Injuries: Regular treatment can also be instrumental in preventing future injuries by ensuring healthy, supple tissues.

The benefits of soft tissue mobilization, especially when coupled with Axes Physical Therapy’s holistic and custom-tailored approach to care in Grantwood Village, MO, are extensive. When you partner with us, you’ll not only achieve relief from your existing ailments but also appreciate an enhanced quality of life with better physical function.

Soft Tissue Mobilization | Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization | IASTM

Conditions Treated with Soft Tissue Mobilization in Grantwood Village, MO

Axes Physical Therapy utilizes soft tissue mobilization, including IASTM techniques, to treat a wide spectrum of conditions, each with its own challenges and requirements. Here’s how these approaches are implemented across different types of injuries and conditions in Grantwood Village, MO:

Acute Injuries

Acute injuries are sudden physical traumas to the body, commonly resulting from accidents or specific incidents during activities, like sports injuries. These injuries usually involve sudden pain, swelling, and loss of function. Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization and other soft tissue mobilization techniques play a crucial role in reducing inflammation, promoting healing, and restoring function in these cases.

Common acute injuries treated include:

Sprains
Strains
Fasciitis
Tendonitis

Chronic Injuries

Chronic injuries form over time, often due to ongoing stress or prolonged wear and tear on the body. These injuries are marked by persistent pain, stiffness, and frequently a gradual onset. Soft tissue mobilization is effective in these scenarios for reducing scar tissue, relieving pain, and enhancing range of motion.

Common chronic injuries treated include:

Tendonosis
ITB Syndrome
Plantar Fasciitis

Post-Surgical Conditions

Following surgery and in post-surgical rehab, patients commonly face challenges like scar tissue formation and restricted flexibility. Soft tissue mobilization, notably instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization, is essential in these situations for improving tissue healing, lessening scar tissue formation, and helping to regain lost motion and function.

Common issues we treat with soft tissue mobilization in post surgical rehabilitation include:

Excessive scarring
Adhesions/Fibrosis
Loss of motion

By utilizing soft tissue mobilization techniques effectively, Axes Physical Therapy adequately manages a wide array of conditions, helping Grantwood Village, MO patients in their path towards healing, enhanced quality of life, and returning to the activities they enjoy.

Other conditions we treat in Grantwood Village, MO include:

Call Axes Physical Therapy for Your Soft Tissue Mobilization in Grantwood Village, MO Today

Axes Physical Therapy in Grantwood Village, MO combines experience, compassion, and a personalized approach to deliver optimal results in soft tissue mobilization. Choosing Axes entails entrusting your recovery to a team that values your health and wellbeing, working not just for immediate relief but for long-term functional improvement that gets you back to the activities you enjoy the most securely and effectively. Don’t let pain or mobility issues hold you back any longer. Reach out to Axes Physical Therapy in Grantwood Village, MO and take the first step towards a more active life. Contact us online, call the Axes location nearest you, or come to any location for a free injury screening to get started today.