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

Soft tissue mobilization in Pevely, MO. Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization is crucial for treating numerous injuries, conditions, and disorders. This therapeutic approach, centered around stimulating and smoothing out soft tissue including 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, helping our Pevely, MO patients recover safely and properly. Soft tissue mobilization is especially useful for Pevely, MO patients who prefer to avoid surgery or medications.

Axes Physical Therapy is locally owned and operated by a team of experienced Pevely, MO physical and occupational therapists. We combine our expertise with bettering our patients’ lives with scientifically-proven treatment methods to get Pevely, 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 recovery, Axes Physical Therapy will work closely with you to create a treatment plan customized to your condition, lifestyle, and goals. Get in touch through our website, call the Axes location nearest you, or come to any location for a free injury screening to get started 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, such as muscles, tendons, and ligaments. This approach involves various hands-on methods ranging from gentle strokes to deeper pressure, depending on what condition or injury you’re ailing from. It’s a key element in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, offering relief and bringing back 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 deeper and more targeted tissue manipulation. Based on James Cyriax‘s deep friction massage, this method employs tools crafted from 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 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 encompasses a range of techniques, all intended to treat 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 focuses on releasing tension in the connective tissue that surrounds muscles. Practitioners utilize gentle, sustained pressure to alleviate fascial restrictions and increase mobility.
Trigger Point Dry Needling and Trigger Point Therapy: This method targets trigger points, which are tight knots within muscles that lead to pain and discomfort. Pressure is applied to these points to relieve tension and reduce pain.
Active Release Techniques (ART): ART combines patient movement with manual pressure to break up adhesions in muscles and other soft tissues, striving to restore free movement.
Cross-Friction Massage: A crosswise massage technique applied perpendicular to the affected tissue. It’s frequently utilized for tendons and ligaments to improve circulation and promote healing.
Lymphatic Drainage: A soothing 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 commonly incorporated into manual soft tissue mobilization to enhance flexibility and movement. They can be active (performed by the patient).
Joint Mobilization: Involves passive movement of a joint by the therapist to improve range of 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®: Involves stainless steel instruments to reduce restrictions by stretching connective tissues so that their structure is realigned.
HawkGrips® Therapy: Makes use of an array of precision-engineered tools designed to decrease pain in minutes, increase flexibility, and reduce need for medication and surgery.

Each of the listed techniques has been validated by peer-backed studies to have its specific uses and benefits, and one of our professional Pevely, MO physical therapists can tailor these techniques to your individual needs. We’ll use 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 Pevely, MO Patients

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

Kickstart the Body’s Natural healing Process —
- Enhanced Blood Flow: Soft tissue mobilization techniques enhance circulation, bringing essential nutrients and oxygen to injured areas, thus speeding up the healing process.
- Reduced Inflammation: These techniques help in reducing inflammation and swelling in the injured areas, which is vital for healing.
- Breakdown of Scar Tissue: Specifically with instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization, the breakdown of scar tissue encourages faster healing of healthy tissue.
Better 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 cause enhanced flexibility and strength in the muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
- Alignment Correction: These methods can aid in correcting collagen fibers and enhance the overall structure of soft tissues.
Reduction of Pain and Increased Mobility —
- Pain Relief: Soft tissue mobilization is effective in minimizing chronic pain and discomfort connected to various conditions.
- Increased Mobility: By tackling 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 contribute to preventing future injuries by ensuring healthy, supple tissues.

The benefits of soft tissue mobilization, especially when paired with Axes Physical Therapy’s comprehensive and personalized approach to care in Pevely, MO, are profound. When you form a treatment team with us, you’ll not only achieve relief from your present ailments but also relish an enhanced quality of life with improved physical function.

Soft Tissue Mobilization | Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization | IASTM

Conditions Treated with Soft Tissue Mobilization in Pevely, MO

Axes Physical Therapy utilizes soft tissue mobilization, including instrument assisted techniques, to treat a vast spectrum of conditions, each with its own challenges and requirements. Here’s how these methods are used across various types of injuries and conditions in Pevely, 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 commonly involve sudden pain, swelling, and loss of function. The use of instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization and other soft tissue mobilization techniques play a crucial role in minimizing inflammation, facilitating healing, and restoring function in these cases.

Common acute injuries treated include:

Sprains
Strains
Fasciitis
Tendonitis

Chronic Injuries

Chronic injuries form over time, usually due to ongoing stress or long-term wear and tear on the body. These injuries are marked by persistent pain, stiffness, and usually a gradual onset. Soft tissue mobilization is helpful in these scenarios for reducing scar tissue, relieving pain, and improving function.

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 flexibility. Soft tissue mobilization, particularly instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization, is essential in these situations for enhancing 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 properly, Axes Physical Therapy adequately manages a vast array of conditions, assisting Pevely, MO patients in their journey towards recovery, improved quality of life, and returning to the activities they cherish.

Other conditions we treat in Pevely, MO include:

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

Axes Physical Therapy in Pevely, MO combines expertise, passion, and a personalized approach to deliver optimal results in soft tissue mobilization. Choosing Axes means entrusting your recovery to a team that focuses on your health and wellbeing, working not just for immediate relief but for long-term functional improvement that returns you back to the activities you cherish safely and effectively. Don’t let pain or mobility issues hold you back any longer. Reach out to Axes Physical Therapy in Pevely, MO and take the first step towards a healthier life. Contact us online, call the Axes location nearest you, or come to any location for a free injury screening to get started today.