Soft tissue mobilization in The Hill, St. Louis, MO. Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization is an evidence-backed treatment technique for many injuries, conditions, and disorders. This treatment method, aimed at activating and relieving soft tissue like the muscles, ligaments, and tendons, doesn’t just alleviate pain the day of your appointment, but reestablishes functionality and improves the body’s natural healing process, aiding our The Hill, St. Louis, MO patients heal faster and more effectively. Soft tissue mobilization is well-suited for The Hill, St. Louis, MO patients who want to avoid surgery or medications.
Axes Physical Therapy is operated and owned locally by a team of expert The Hill, St. Louis, MO physical and occupational therapists. We merge our expertise with improving our patients’ lives with evidence-backed treatment methods to get The Hill, St. Louis, MO residents back to the things they love doing most. Whether you’re dealing with an acute injury, chronic discomfort, or post-surgical rehab, Axes Physical Therapy will partner with you to develop a treatment plan specific to your unique needs and goals. Get in touch through our website, call the Axes most convenient to you, or come to any location for a free injury screening to start on your road to recovery today.
About Soft Tissue Mobilization
Soft tissue mobilization is a therapeutic technique used in physical therapy to treat conditions involving the soft tissues of the body, which are the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. This approach entails various hands-on methods including 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 restoring function to areas compromised by injury, surgery, 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. Drawing from James Cyriax‘s deep friction massage, this method involves tools made from 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 find and manage areas with soft tissue fibrosis or chronic inflammation. Their use enhances the physical therapist’s ability to uncover adhesions and restrictions in the soft tissues, and delivers precise pressure to encourage the body’s natural healing process.
Soft Tissue Mobilization and Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (ISTYM) Techniques
Soft tissue mobilization covers a range of techniques, all intended to treat 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 boost circulation, relieve muscle tension, and promote relaxation.
- Myofascial Release: This technique aims at releasing tension in the fascia. Practitioners utilize gentle, sustained pressure to alleviate fascial restrictions and boost mobility.
- Trigger Point Dry Needling and Trigger Point Therapy: This method addresses trigger points, which are hyperirritable muscles that result in 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 manual pressure to break up adhesions in muscles and other soft tissues, striving to bring back free movement.
- Cross-Friction Massage: A transverse 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 intended 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 often incorporated into manual soft tissue mobilization to improve 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 improve 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®: Involves stainless steel instruments to minimize restrictions by stretching connective tissues so that their structure is modified.
- HawkGrips® Therapy: Utilizes a range of precision-engineered tools intended to decrease pain in minutes, increase range of motion, and diminish need for medication and surgery.
Each of the listed techniques has been confirmed by peer-backed studies to have its unique uses and benefits, and one of our qualified The Hill, St. Louis, MO physical therapists can customize these methods to your individual needs. We’ll employ 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 The Hill, St. Louis, MO Patients
Soft tissue mobilization, when carried out by licensed The Hill, St. Louis, MO physical therapists such as those at Axes, offers a plethora of benefits to The Hill, St. Louis, 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 improve blood flow to the affected area, delivering essential nutrients and oxygen to injured areas, thus hastening the healing process.
- Reduced Inflammation: These techniques help in minimizing inflammation and swelling in affected areas, which is essential for healing.
- Breakdown of Scar Tissue: Specifically with IASTM, the breakdown of scar tissue encourages faster regeneration 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 lead to increased 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 effective in minimizing chronic pain and discomfort associated with various conditions.
- Increased Mobility: By targeting the underlying causes of stiffness and immobility, these techniques help patients restore their full range of motion.
- Prevention of Future Injuries: Regular treatment can also be instrumental in preventing future injuries by maintaining 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 The Hill, St. Louis, MO, are far-reaching. When you collaborate with us, you’ll not only achieve relief from your current ailments but also enjoy an improved quality of life with better physical function.
Conditions Treated with Soft Tissue Mobilization in The Hill, St. Louis, MO
Axes Physical Therapy employs soft tissue mobilization, including IASTM techniques, to treat a vast spectrum of conditions, each with its own challenges and requirements. Here’s how these methods are used across different types of injuries and conditions in The Hill, St. Louis, MO:
Acute Injuries
Acute injuries mean sudden physical traumas to the body, usually 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 stability. Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization and other soft tissue mobilization techniques play a key role in minimizing inflammation, promoting healing, and regaining function in these cases.
Common acute injuries treated include:
- Sprains
- Strains
- Fasciitis
- Tendonitis
Chronic Injuries
Chronic injuries form over time, frequently due to repetitive stress or prolonged wear and tear on the body. These injuries are marked by continuous pain, stiffness, and frequently a gradual onset. Soft tissue mobilization is beneficial in these scenarios for dissolving scar tissue, alleviating pain, and improving mobility.
Common chronic injuries treated include:
- Tendonosis
- ITB Syndrome
- Plantar Fasciitis
Post-Surgical Rehabilitation
Following surgery and in post-surgical rehab, patients commonly face challenges like scar tissue formation and restricted flexibility. Soft tissue mobilization, especially IASTM, is essential in these situations for improving 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 effectively, Axes Physical Therapy effectively addresses a wide array of conditions, assisting The Hill, St. Louis, MO patients in their journey towards recovery, improved quality of life, and returning to the activities they cherish.
Other services we offer in The Hill, 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 The Hill, St. Louis, MO Today
Axes Physical Therapy in The Hill, St. Louis, MO combines expertise, passion, and a personalized approach to provide optimal results in soft tissue mobilization. Choosing Axes signifies entrusting your recovery to a team that focuses on your health and wellbeing, aiming not just for immediate relief but for long-term 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 The Hill, 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.
