Soft tissue mobilization in Hazelwood, MO. Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization is essential for treating numerous musculoskeletal conditions. This treatment method, centered around working on and easing soft tissue like the muscles, ligaments, and tendons, doesn’t just help reduce pain the day of your appointment, but brings back functionality and boosts the body’s natural healing process, aiding our Hazelwood, MO patients recover faster and more effectively. Soft tissue mobilization is ideal for Hazelwood, MO patients seeking alternative treatments to surgery.
Axes Physical Therapy is locally owned and operated by a team of seasoned Hazelwood, MO physical and occupational therapists. We combine our expertise with enhancing our patients’ lives with research-supported treatment methods to get Hazelwood, MO residents back to the things they love doing most. Whether you were recently injured, suffer from a chronic condition, or are in post-surgical rehab, Axes Physical Therapy will form a team with you to create a treatment plan tailored to your unique needs and goals. Get in touch through our website, call the Axes location nearest 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 therapeutic technique used in physical therapy to treat conditions involving the soft tissues of the body, which are the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. This approach involves various hands-on methods including gentle strokes to deeper pressure, depending on what condition or injury you’re ailing from. It’s a vital element in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, providing relief and re-establishing function to areas affected by injury, a medical condition, or chronic conditions.
What Is Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization?
Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) is an advanced form of soft tissue mobilization that employs specialized tools for deeper and more targeted tissue manipulation. Based on James Cyriax‘s deep friction massage, this method employs tools constructed of materials like stainless steel or hard plastic. Designed to fit to different parts of the body, these tools are designed to effectively break down scar tissue and fascial restrictions. IASTM techniques enable therapists to find and manage areas with soft tissue fibrosis or chronic inflammation. Using these instruments enhances the physical therapist’s ability to uncover adhesions and restrictions in the soft tissues, and delivers precise pressure to encourage optimal tissue repair and mobility.
Soft Tissue Mobilization and Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (ISTYM) Techniques
Soft tissue mobilization covers an array of specific therapies, each designed to address specific injuries or conditions:
Manual Soft Tissue Mobilization Techniques
- Massage: One of the most well-known forms, massage entails various strokes and pressures to manipulate soft tissues. It can enhance circulation, relieve muscle tension, and promote relaxation.
- Myofascial Release: This technique focuses on releasing tension in the connective tissue that surrounds muscles. Practitioners utilize gentle, sustained pressure to release fascial restrictions and increase mobility.
- Trigger Point Dry Needling and Trigger Point Therapy: This method targets trigger points, which are taut bands within muscles that lead to pain and discomfort. Pressure is applied to these points to stimulate blood flow and healing and reduce pain.
- Active Release Techniques (ART): ART melds patient movement with soft tissue mobilization to break up adhesions in muscles and other soft tissues, intending to bring back range of motion.
- Cross-Friction Massage: A transverse massage technique executed perpendicular to the affected tissue. It’s often used for tendons and ligaments to enhance circulation and promote healing.
- Lymphatic Drainage: A gentle technique aiming to stimulate the lymphatic system, aiding to remove waste products and reduce swelling, especially in 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 passive (performed by the therapist).
- Joint Mobilization: Involves passive movement of a joint by the therapist to enhance flexibility and reduce pain. It’s often used in combination with other soft tissue techniques.
Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) Techniques
- Astym® Therapy: Employs specific protocols and instruments to restore healthy soft tissues and eliminate unwanted scar tissue.
- Graston Technique®: Involves stainless steel instruments to alleviate restrictions by stretching connective tissues so that their structure is realigned.
- HawkGrips® Therapy: Utilizes an array of precision-engineered tools designed to decrease pain in minutes, increase range of motion, and lessen reliance on medication and surgery.
Each of the above treatment modalities has been confirmed by research to have its particular applications and benefits, and one of our professional Hazelwood, MO physical therapists can customize these techniques to the condition affecting you and your lifestyle goals. We’ll utilize these techniques, in tandem 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 Hazelwood, MO Patients
Soft tissue mobilization, when performed by licensed Hazelwood, MO physical therapists such as those at Axes, offers a multitude of benefits to Hazelwood, MO patients experiencing various musculoskeletal conditions. Here’s a comprehensive look at some of the key advantages:
- Accelerated Healing Process —
- Improved Blood Flow: Soft tissue mobilization techniques enhance circulation, bringing essential nutrients and oxygen to injured areas, thus accelerating the healing process.
- Reduced Inflammation: These techniques help in minimizing inflammation and swelling in the injured areas, which is essential for healing.
- Breakdown of Scar Tissue: Particularly with IASTM, the breakdown of scar tissue promotes quicker healing of healthy tissue.
- Improvement in Tissue Alignment and Function —
- Restoration of Normal Tissue Function: By easing tension and restrictions in soft tissues, these techniques re-establish normal function and range of motion.
- Improved Flexibility: Regular soft tissue mobilization can result in 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 helpful in alleviating chronic pain and discomfort associated with various conditions.
- Increased Mobility: By addressing 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 play a role in preventing future injuries by keeping healthy, supple tissues.
The benefits of soft tissue mobilization, especially when combined with Axes Physical Therapy’s all-encompassing and custom-tailored approach to care in Hazelwood, MO, are far-reaching. When you collaborate with us, you’ll not only experience relief from your present ailments but also appreciate an enhanced quality of life with enhanced physical function.
Conditions Treated with Soft Tissue Mobilization in Hazelwood, MO
Axes Physical Therapy employs soft tissue mobilization, including IASTM techniques, to treat a vast spectrum of conditions, each with its own challenges and requirements. Here’s how these techniques are used across various types of injuries and conditions in Hazelwood, MO:
Acute Injuries
Acute injuries mean sudden physical traumas to the body, commonly resulting from accidents or specific incidents during activities, like sports injuries. These injuries typically involve sudden pain, swelling, and loss of stability. The use of instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization and other soft tissue mobilization techniques play a key role in minimizing inflammation, facilitating healing, and reestablishing function in these cases.
Common acute injuries treated include:
- Sprains
- Strains
- Fasciitis
- Tendonitis
Chronic Injuries
Chronic injuries arise over time, frequently due to repetitive 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 beneficial in these scenarios for dissolving scar tissue, relieving pain, and increasing 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 adhesions and restricted mobility. Soft tissue mobilization, especially IASTM, is invaluable in these situations for enhancing tissue healing, reducing 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 using soft tissue mobilization techniques appropriately, Axes Physical Therapy successfully treats a wide array of conditions, assisting Hazelwood, MO patients in their path towards recovery, enhanced quality of life, and returning to the activities they enjoy.
Other services we offer in Hazelwood, MO include:
- Hip Replacement Physical Therapy
- Workers Comp' Physical Therapy
- Migraine Relief
- Sprain and Strain Treatment
- Geriatric Physical Therapy
- Injury Rehabilitation
- Pain Management Services
- TMJ Treatment
- Herniated Disc Treatment
- Rotator Cuff Tear Treatment
Call Axes Physical Therapy for Your Soft Tissue Mobilization in Hazelwood, MO Today
Axes Physical Therapy in Hazelwood, MO combines expertise, compassion, and a patient-centered approach to deliver optimal results in soft tissue mobilization. Choosing Axes signifies becoming part of a team that focuses on your health and wellbeing, striving not just for immediate relief but for long-term functional improvement that gets you back to the activities you cherish securely and effectively. Don’t let pain or mobility issues hold you back any longer. Reach out to Axes Physical Therapy in Hazelwood, MO and take the first step towards a better life. Contact us online, call the Axes location nearest you, or come to any location for a free injury screening to get started today.
