Soft Tissue Mobilization in Marlborough, MO | Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization | Physical Therapy

Soft tissue mobilization in Marlborough, MO. Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization is an evidence-backed treatment technique for many musculoskeletal conditions. This therapeutic approach, centered around activating and relieving soft tissue including the muscles, ligaments, and tendons, doesn’t just help reduce pain the day of your appointment, but brings back functionality and enhances the body’s natural healing process, helping our Marlborough, MO patients heal safely and properly. Soft tissue mobilization is well-suited for Marlborough, MO patients who want to avoid surgery or medications.

Axes Physical Therapy is operated and owned locally by a team of seasoned Marlborough, MO physical therapists. We combine our expertise with bettering our patients’ lives with research-supported treatment methods to get Marlborough, MO residents back to the activities they love. Whether you’re dealing with an acute injury, chronic discomfort, or post-surgical recovery, Axes Physical Therapy will form a team with you to develop a treatment plan customized to your condition, lifestyle, and goals. Contact us online, call the Axes most convenient to you, or come to any location for a complimentary injury screening to get started today.

What Is Soft Tissue Mobilization?

Soft tissue mobilization is a therapeutic 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, depending on what condition or injury is affecting you. It’s a vital element in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, offering relief and restoring function to areas impaired 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 utilizes specialized tools for more precise and deeper tissue manipulation. Based on James Cyriax‘s deep friction massage, this method involves tools constructed of materials like stainless steel or hard plastic. Shaped to conform to different anatomical areas, these tools are intended to effectively break down scar tissue and fascial restrictions. IASTM techniques allow therapists to detect and address areas with soft tissue fibrosis or chronic inflammation. Their use enhances the physical therapist’s ability to detect adhesions and restrictions in the soft tissues, and applies precise pressure to promote the body’s natural healing process.

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

Soft tissue mobilization includes a range of techniques, 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 includes various strokes and pressures to manipulate soft tissues. It can boost circulation, relieve muscle tension, and promote relaxation.
Myofascial Release: This technique concentrates on releasing tension in the fascia. Practitioners utilize gentle, sustained pressure to ease fascial restrictions and increase mobility.
Trigger Point Dry Needling and Trigger Point Therapy: This method focuses on trigger points, which are hyperirritable muscles that cause pain and discomfort. Pressure is applied to these points to ease tension and reduce pain.
Active Release Techniques (ART): ART combines 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 executed perpendicular to the affected tissue. It’s commonly employed for tendons and ligaments to improve circulation and promote healing.
Lymphatic Drainage: A gentle technique aiming to stimulate the lymphatic system, assisting to remove waste products and reduce swelling, usually for patients with lymphedema.
Stretching and Range of Motion Exercises: These are frequently incorporated into manual soft tissue mobilization to increase flexibility and movement. They can be active (performed by the patient).
Joint Mobilization: Consists of passive movement of a joint by the therapist to enhance flexibility and reduce pain. It’s regularly 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 eliminate unwanted adhesions.
Graston Technique®: Uses stainless steel instruments to minimize restrictions by stretching connective tissues so that their structure is realigned.
HawkGrips® Therapy: Makes use of a range of precision-engineered tools aimed at decrease pain in minutes, increase range of motion, and diminish need for medication and surgery.

Each of the above techniques has been validated by peer-backed studies to have its unique uses and benefits, and one of our professional Marlborough, MO physical therapists can tailor these techniques to your individual needs. We’ll use these techniques, in concert with other therapies and patient education, to aid in your recovery and get you back to the activities you love.

Benefits of Soft Tissue Mobilization for Marlborough, MO Patients

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

Accelerated Healing Process —
- Enhanced Blood Flow: Soft tissue mobilization techniques enhance blood flow to the affected area, supplying essential nutrients and oxygen to injured areas, allowing the body to heal itself more effectively.
- Reduced Inflammation: These techniques help 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 promotes faster healing of healthy tissue.
Better Tissue Alignment and Function —
- Restoration of Normal Tissue Function: By releasing tension and restrictions in soft tissues, these techniques re-establish normal function and range of motion.
- Improved Flexibility: Regular soft tissue mobilization can cause improved flexibility and strength in the muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
- Alignment Correction: These methods can aid 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 reducing chronic pain and discomfort associated with various conditions.
- Increased Mobility: By tackling 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 paired with Axes Physical Therapy’s comprehensive and custom-tailored approach to care in Marlborough, MO, are extensive. When you form a treatment team with us, you’ll not only experience relief from your present ailments but also enjoy 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 Marlborough, MO

Axes Physical Therapy employs soft tissue mobilization, including IASTM techniques, to treat a broad spectrum of conditions, each with its unique challenges and requirements. Here’s how these methods are applied across various types of injuries and conditions in Marlborough, MO:

Acute Injuries

Acute injuries refer to sudden physical traumas to the body, often resulting from accidents or specific incidents during activities, like sports injuries. These injuries typically involve sudden pain, swelling, and loss of function. Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization and other soft tissue mobilization techniques play a key role in lessening inflammation, promoting 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 ongoing stress or long-term wear and tear on the body. These injuries are marked by ongoing pain, stiffness, and usually a gradual onset. Soft tissue mobilization is helpful in these scenarios for breaking down scar tissue, relieving pain, and enhancing strength and mobility.

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, especially instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization, is crucial in these situations for promoting tissue healing, reducing scar tissue formation, and aiding 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 applying soft tissue mobilization techniques properly, Axes Physical Therapy adequately manages a wide array of conditions, assisting Marlborough, MO patients in their path towards wellness, improved quality of life, and getting back to the activities they love most.

Other conditions we treat in Marlborough, MO include:

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

Axes Physical Therapy in Marlborough, MO integrates experience, compassion, and a personalized approach to provide optimal results in soft tissue mobilization. Choosing Axes entails becoming part of a team that focuses on your health and wellbeing, working not just for immediate relief but for ongoing functional improvement that gets you back to the activities you enjoy the most securely and effectively. Don’t let pain or mobility issues stop you any longer. Reach out to Axes Physical Therapy in Marlborough, 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.