Soft tissue mobilization in St. Louis, MO. Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization is essential for treating numerous injuries, conditions, and disorders. This therapeutic approach, focused on 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, aiding our St. Louis, MO patients get better faster and more effectively. Soft tissue mobilization is highly useful for St. Louis, MO patients who want to avoid surgery or medications.
Axes Physical Therapy is run by a group of local St. Louis, MO physical and occupational therapists. We combine our passion with improving our patients’ lives with evidence-backed treatment methods to get St. Louis, 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 specific 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.
About 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 involves various hands-on methods including gentle strokes to deeper pressure, suited to your specific needs. It’s a crucial element in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, delivering relief and bringing back function to areas affected by injury, a medical condition, 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 utilizes specialized tools for more precise and deeper tissue manipulation. Drawing from James Cyriax‘s deep friction massage, this method employs tools made from materials like stainless steel or hard plastic. Designed to fit to different anatomical areas, these tools are aimed to effectively break down scar tissue and fascial restrictions. IASTM techniques enable therapists to detect and address areas with soft tissue fibrosis or chronic inflammation. Their use enhances the physical therapist’s ability to discover adhesions and restrictions in the soft tissues, and applies precise pressure to encourage optimal tissue repair and mobility.
Soft Tissue Mobilization and Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (ISTYM) Techniques
Soft tissue mobilization covers a range of specific therapies, each tailored to address specific injuries or conditions:
Manual Soft Tissue Mobilization Techniques
- Massage: A widely recognized technique, massage includes 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 fascia. Practitioners employ gentle, sustained pressure to release fascial restrictions and boost mobility.
- Trigger Point Dry Needling and Trigger Point Therapy: This method focuses on trigger points, which are tight knots within 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 melds patient movement with soft tissue mobilization to break up scar tissue in muscles and other soft tissues, intending to restore free movement.
- 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 intended to stimulate the lymphatic system, assisting to remove waste products and reduce swelling, especially in patients with lymphedema.
- Stretching and Range of Motion Exercises: These are commonly incorporated into manual soft tissue mobilization to increase flexibility and range of motion. They can be performed either with active involvement from the patient on by the therapist themselves.
- Joint Mobilization: Involves passive movement of a joint by the therapist to increase range of motion and reduce pain. It’s commonly 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 scar tissue.
- Graston Technique®: Uses stainless steel instruments to minimize restrictions by stretching connective tissues so that their structure is rearranged.
- HawkGrips® Therapy: Makes use of a range of precision-engineered tools designed to decrease pain in minutes, increase flexibility, and diminish the necessity of medication and surgery.
Each of the above techniques has been proven by peer-backed studies to have its particular applications and benefits, and one of our licensed St. Louis, MO physical therapists can customize these techniques to your individual needs. We’ll utilize 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 St. Louis, MO Patients
Soft tissue mobilization, when conducted by professional St. Louis, MO physical therapists such as those at Axes, offers a array of benefits to St. Louis, MO patients experiencing various musculoskeletal conditions. Here’s a comprehensive look at some of the key advantages:
- Accelerated Healing Process —
- Enhanced Blood Flow: Soft tissue mobilization techniques enhance blood flow to the affected area, delivering essential nutrients and oxygen to injured areas, thus speeding up the healing process.
- Reduced Inflammation: These techniques aid in lessening inflammation and swelling in affected areas, which is crucial for healing.
- Breakdown of Scar Tissue: Especially with IASTM, 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 restore 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 assist in realigning collagen fibers and improve the overall structure of soft tissues.
- Reduction of Pain and Increased Mobility —
- Pain Relief: Soft tissue mobilization is beneficial 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 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 paired with Axes Physical Therapy’s all-encompassing and custom-tailored approach to care in St. Louis, 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 better physical function.
Conditions Treated with Soft Tissue Mobilization in St. Louis, MO
Axes Physical Therapy uses 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 techniques are used across different types of injuries and conditions in St. Louis, MO:
Acute Injuries
Acute injuries refer to 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 commonly involve sudden pain, swelling, and loss of stability. Advanced soft tissue mobilization and other soft tissue mobilization techniques play a vital role in reducing inflammation, promoting healing, and regaining function in these cases.
Common acute injuries treated include:
- Sprains
- Strains
- Fasciitis
- Tendonitis
Chronic Injuries
Chronic injuries arise over time, frequently due to continuous stress or extended wear and tear on the body. These injuries are marked by ongoing pain, stiffness, and usually a gradual onset. Soft tissue mobilization is beneficial in these scenarios for breaking down scar tissue, alleviating pain, and increasing range of motion.
Common chronic injuries treated include:
- Tendonosis
- ITB Syndrome
- Plantar Fasciitis
Post-Surgical Rehabilitation
Following surgery and in post-surgical rehab, patients often face challenges like scar tissue formation and restricted mobility. Soft tissue mobilization, notably IASTM, is crucial in these situations for promoting tissue healing, minimizing 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 using soft tissue mobilization techniques appropriately, Axes Physical Therapy effectively addresses a vast array of conditions, assisting St. Louis, MO patients in their road towards recovery, enhanced quality of life, and returning to the activities they enjoy.
Other conditions we treat in 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 St. Louis, MO Today
Axes Physical Therapy in St. Louis, MO combines experience, passion, and a patient-centered approach to provide optimal results in soft tissue mobilization. Choosing Axes signifies entrusting your treatment to a team that prioritizes your health and wellbeing, aiming not just for immediate relief but for sustained functional improvement that brings you back to the activities you enjoy the most efficiently and effectively. Don’t let pain or mobility issues hold you back any longer. Reach out to Axes Physical Therapy in St. Louis, 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.
