Soft tissue mobilization in South St. Louis, MO. Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization is crucial for treating many injuries, conditions, and disorders. This treatment method, aimed at working on and relieving soft tissue including the muscles, ligaments, and tendons, doesn’t just alleviate pain momentarily, but restores functionality and improves the body’s natural healing process, aiding our South St. Louis, MO patients recover safely and successfully. Soft tissue mobilization is particularly useful for South St. Louis, MO patients who want to avoid surgery or medications.
Axes Physical Therapy is run by a group of local South St. Louis, MO physical therapists. We merge our expertise with enhancing our patients’ lives with research-supported treatment methods to get South St. Louis, MO residents back to the activities they love. Whether you’re grappling with an acute injury, chronic discomfort, or post-surgical rehabilitation, Axes Physical Therapy will form a team with you to develop a treatment plan specific to your unique needs and goals. Contact us through our website, call the Axes location nearest you, or come to any location for a free injury screening to start on your road to recovery 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, such as muscles, tendons, and ligaments. This approach entails various hands-on methods spanning gentle strokes to deeper pressure, tailored to your specific needs. It’s a crucial element in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, providing relief and re-establishing function to areas affected by injury, surgery, or chronic conditions.
About Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM)
Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) is a sophisticated form of soft tissue mobilization that employs specialized tools for targeted and deeper tissue manipulation. Based on James Cyriax‘s deep friction massage, this method uses 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 permit therapists to diagnose and heal 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 facilitate the body’s natural healing process.
Soft Tissue Mobilization and Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (ISTYM) Techniques
Soft tissue mobilization covers a range of specific therapies, all intended to address specific injuries or conditions:
Manual Soft Tissue Mobilization Techniques
- Massage: A popular method, massage involves manual pressure and strokes with a therapist’s hands. It can enhance circulation, relieve muscle tension, and promote relaxation.
- Myofascial Release: This technique concentrates on releasing tension in the connective tissue that surrounds muscles. Practitioners employ gentle, sustained pressure to ease fascial restrictions and improve mobility.
- Trigger Point Dry Needling and Trigger Point Therapy: This method targets trigger points, which are hyperirritable muscles that cause 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 adhesions in muscles and other soft tissues, aiming to bring back range of motion.
- Cross-Friction Massage: A perpendicular massage technique performed perpendicular to the affected tissue. It’s commonly employed for tendons and ligaments to improve circulation and promote healing.
- Lymphatic Drainage: A gentle technique intended 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 frequently 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 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: Utilizes specific protocols and instruments to restore healthy soft tissues and remove unwanted scar tissue.
- Graston Technique®: Employs stainless steel instruments to reduce restrictions by stretching connective tissues so that their structure is realigned.
- HawkGrips® Therapy: Utilizes a range of precision-engineered tools intended to decrease pain in minutes, increase range of motion, and reduce the necessity of medication and surgery.
Each of the above treatment modalities has been confirmed by science to have its specific applications and benefits, and one of our professional South St. Louis, MO physical therapists can customize these methods to your individual needs. We’ll use these techniques, in concert with other therapies and patient education, to assist in your healing and get you back to what you love doing most.
Advantages of Soft Tissue Mobilization for South St. Louis, MO Patients
Soft tissue mobilization, when performed by qualified South St. Louis, MO physical therapists such as those at Axes, offers a plethora of benefits to South St. Louis, MO patients dealing with various musculoskeletal conditions. Here’s a comprehensive look at some of the key advantages:
- Accelerated Healing Process —
- Enhanced Blood Flow: Soft tissue mobilization techniques boost blood flow to the affected area, delivering essential nutrients and oxygen to injured areas, allowing the body to heal itself more effectively.
- Reduced Inflammation: These techniques aid in minimizing inflammation and swelling in affected areas, which is crucial for healing.
- Breakdown of Scar Tissue: Particularly with instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization, the breakdown of scar tissue promotes 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 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 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 effective in minimizing chronic pain and discomfort related 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 keeping healthy, supple tissues.
The benefits of soft tissue mobilization, especially when coupled with Axes Physical Therapy’s comprehensive and custom-tailored approach to care in South St. Louis, MO, are extensive. When you partner with us, you’ll not only find relief from your current ailments but also enjoy an enhanced quality of life with improved physical function.
Conditions Treated with Soft Tissue Mobilization in South St. Louis, MO
Axes Physical Therapy employs soft tissue mobilization, including instrument assisted techniques, to treat a wide spectrum of conditions, each with its specific challenges and requirements. Here’s how these approaches are applied across various types of injuries and conditions in South St. Louis, MO:
Acute Injuries
Acute injuries mean sudden physical traumas to the body, commonly resulting from accidents or a collision or incident of some sort during activities, like sports injuries. These injuries typically involve sudden pain, swelling, and loss of function. The use of instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization and other soft tissue mobilization techniques play a key 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 develop over time, often due to repetitive stress or long-term wear and tear on the body. These injuries are marked by continuous pain, stiffness, and often a gradual onset. Soft tissue mobilization is beneficial in these scenarios for reducing scar tissue, alleviating pain, and increasing mobility.
Common chronic injuries treated include:
- Tendonosis
- ITB Syndrome
- Plantar Fasciitis
Post-Surgical Conditions
Following surgery and in post-surgical rehab, patients often face challenges like scar tissue formation and restricted flexibility. Soft tissue mobilization, notably IASTM, is crucial in these situations for enhancing tissue healing, reducing 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 utilizing soft tissue mobilization techniques appropriately, Axes Physical Therapy adequately manages a wide array of conditions, assisting South St. Louis, MO patients in their path towards healing, improved quality of life, and returning to the activities they love most.
Other conditions we treat in South St. Louis, 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 South St. Louis, MO Today
Axes Physical Therapy in South St. Louis, MO combines experience, compassion, and a personalized approach to deliver optimal results in soft tissue mobilization. Choosing Axes means entrusting your recovery to a team that values your health and wellbeing, striving not just for immediate relief but for ongoing functional improvement that returns you back to the activities you love most safely and effectively. Don’t let pain or mobility issues hold you back any longer. Reach out to Axes Physical Therapy in South St. Louis, 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.
