Soft tissue mobilization in O’Fallon, MO. Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization is vital for treating numerous injuries, conditions, and disorders. This therapeutic approach, centered around activating and relieving soft tissue including the muscles, ligaments, and tendons, doesn’t just help reduce pain short term, but brings back functionality and improves the body’s natural healing process, assisting our O’Fallon, MO patients heal faster and more effectively. Soft tissue mobilization is ideal for O’Fallon, MO patients looking for alternative treatments to surgery.
Axes Physical Therapy is locally owned and operated by a team of expert O’Fallon, MO physical and occupational therapists. We merge our expertise with bettering our patients’ lives with evidence-backed treatment methods to get O’Fallon, MO residents back to the activities they love. Whether you were recently injured, suffer from a chronic condition, or are in post-surgical recovery, Axes Physical Therapy will work closely with you to develop 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 get started today.
What Is Soft Tissue Mobilization?
Soft tissue mobilization is a therapeutic treatment method used in physical therapy to treat conditions involving 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 you’re ailing from. It’s a crucial element in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, offering relief and restoring function to areas affected by injury, surgery, or chronic conditions.
What Is Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization?
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. Inspired by James Cyriax‘s deep friction massage, this method employs tools constructed of materials like stainless steel or hard plastic. Shaped to conform to different parts of the body, these tools are intended to effectively break down scar tissue and fascial restrictions. IASTM techniques allow therapists to identify and treat areas with soft tissue fibrosis or chronic inflammation. Using these instruments enhances the physical therapist’s ability to detect adhesions and restrictions in the soft tissues, and applies precise pressure to facilitate 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, all intended to tackle 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 aims at releasing tension in the connective tissue that surrounds muscles. Practitioners employ gentle, sustained pressure to ease fascial restrictions and increase mobility.
- Trigger Point Dry Needling and Trigger Point Therapy: This method targets trigger points, which are hyperirritable 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 combines patient movement with soft tissue mobilization to break up scar tissue in muscles and other soft tissues, striving to restore free movement.
- Cross-Friction Massage: A crosswise massage technique executed perpendicular to the affected tissue. It’s frequently utilized for tendons and ligaments to improve circulation and promote healing.
- Lymphatic Drainage: A light technique intended to stimulate the lymphatic system, which carries waste away from tissues and minimizes inflammation, 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 active (performed by the patient).
- Joint Mobilization: Entails passive movement of a joint by the therapist to enhance range of motion 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 regenerate healthy soft tissues and clear away unwanted adhesions.
- Graston Technique®: Uses stainless steel instruments to alleviate restrictions by stretching connective tissues so that their structure is realigned.
- HawkGrips® Therapy: Makes use of a range of precision-engineered tools designed to decrease pain in minutes, increase range of motion, and lessen need for medication and surgery.
Each of the above techniques has been validated by science to have its specific uses and benefits, and one of our licensed O’Fallon, MO physical therapists can customize these methods to the condition affecting you and your lifestyle goals. We’ll employ these techniques, in concert with other therapies and patient education, to aid in your recovery and get you back to what you love doing most.
Advantages of Soft Tissue Mobilization for O’Fallon, MO Patients
Soft tissue mobilization, when carried out by licensed O’Fallon, MO physical therapists such as those at Axes, offers a multitude of benefits to O’Fallon, MO patients dealing with various musculoskeletal conditions. Here’s an in-depth look at some of the key advantages:
- Kickstart the Body’s Natural healing Process —
- Enhanced Blood Flow: Soft tissue mobilization techniques boost blood flow to the affected area, bringing essential nutrients and oxygen to injured areas, thus speeding up 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: Specifically with instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization, the breakdown of scar tissue facilitates quicker healing of healthy tissue.
- Better Tissue Alignment and Function —
- Restoration of Normal Tissue Function: By relieving tension and restrictions in soft tissues, these techniques re-establish normal function and range of motion.
- Improved Flexibility: Regular soft tissue mobilization can cause increased flexibility and strength in the muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
- Alignment Correction: These methods can help in realigning collagen fibers and enhance the overall structure of soft tissues.
- Reduction of Pain and Increased Mobility —
- Pain Relief: Soft tissue mobilization is beneficial in reducing chronic pain and discomfort associated with various conditions.
- Increased Mobility: By targeting the underlying causes of stiffness and immobility, these techniques help patients regain their full range of motion.
- Prevention of Future Injuries: Regular treatment can also play a role in preventing future injuries by maintaining 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 O’Fallon, MO, are profound. When you partner with us, you’ll not only experience relief from your present ailments but also enjoy an enhanced quality of life with better physical function.
Conditions Treated with Soft Tissue Mobilization in O’Fallon, MO
Axes Physical Therapy utilizes soft tissue mobilization, including IASTM techniques, to treat a broad spectrum of conditions, each with its specific challenges and requirements. Here’s how these methods are used across various types of injuries and conditions in O’Fallon, MO:
Acute Injuries
Acute injuries are sudden physical traumas to the body, often resulting from accidents or specific incidents during activities, like sports injuries. These injuries commonly involve sudden pain, swelling, and loss of function. Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization and other soft tissue mobilization techniques play a key role in minimizing inflammation, enhancing healing, and reestablishing function in these cases.
Common acute injuries treated include:
- Sprains
- Strains
- Fasciitis
- Tendonitis
Chronic Injuries
Chronic injuries develop over time, usually due to continuous stress or extended wear and tear on the body. These injuries are marked by ongoing pain, stiffness, and frequently a gradual onset. Soft tissue mobilization is effective in these scenarios for reducing scar tissue, easing pain, and improving function.
Common chronic injuries treated include:
- Tendonosis
- ITB Syndrome
- Plantar Fasciitis
Post-Surgical Rehab
Following surgery and in post-surgical rehab, patients commonly face challenges like scar tissue formation and restricted flexibility. Soft tissue mobilization, notably IASTM, is invaluable in these situations for promoting tissue healing, minimizing scar tissue formation, and assisting 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 successfully treats a broad array of conditions, assisting O’Fallon, MO patients in their journey towards wellness, better quality of life, and getting back to the activities they cherish.
Other services we offer in O’Fallon, 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 O’Fallon, MO Today
Axes Physical Therapy in O’Fallon, MO brings together expertise, passion, and a patient-centered approach to provide optimal results in soft tissue mobilization. Choosing Axes means becoming part of a team that values your health and wellbeing, aiming not just for immediate relief but for ongoing functional improvement that gets you back to the activities you enjoy the most efficiently and effectively. Don’t let pain or mobility issues keep you down any longer. Reach out to Axes Physical Therapy in O’Fallon, 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.
