Soft tissue mobilization in Town and Country, MO. Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization is an evidence-backed treatment technique for many musculoskeletal conditions. This therapeutic approach, centered around stimulating and smoothing out soft tissue including the muscles, ligaments, and tendons, doesn’t just help reduce pain momentarily, but reestablishes functionality and enhances the body’s natural healing process, helping our Town and Country, MO patients heal safely and successfully. Soft tissue mobilization is highly useful for Town and Country, MO patients looking for alternative treatments to surgery.
Axes Physical Therapy is run by a group of local Town and Country, MO physical therapists. We combine our passion with bettering our patients’ lives with research-supported treatment methods to get Town and Country, 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 most convenient to you, or come to any location for a complimentary injury screening to start on your road to recovery today.
What Is Soft Tissue Mobilization?
Soft tissue mobilization is a healing technique used in physical therapy to treat conditions involving the soft tissues of the body, which are the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. This approach involves various hands-on methods spanning gentle strokes to deeper pressure, suited to your specific needs. It’s a vital element in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, providing 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 sophisticated form of soft tissue mobilization that uses specialized tools for targeted and deeper tissue manipulation. Drawing from James Cyriax‘s deep friction massage, this method involves tools constructed of materials like stainless steel or hard plastic. Designed to fit to different anatomical areas, these tools are intended to effectively break down scar tissue and fascial restrictions. IASTM techniques permit 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 specific therapies, all intended to address specific injuries or conditions:
Manual Soft Tissue Mobilization Techniques
- Massage: A popular method, massage entails various strokes and pressures to manipulate soft tissues. It can enhance circulation, relieve muscle tension, and promote relaxation.
- Myofascial Release: This technique targets releasing tension in the connective tissue that surrounds muscles. Practitioners utilize gentle, sustained pressure to alleviate fascial restrictions and improve mobility.
- Trigger Point Dry Needling and Trigger Point Therapy: This method targets 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 melds patient movement with soft tissue mobilization to break up adhesions in muscles and other soft tissues, striving to bring back free movement.
- 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 light technique intended to stimulate the lymphatic system, helping 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 range of motion. They can be passive (performed by the therapist).
- Joint Mobilization: Involves passive movement of a joint by the therapist to improve flexibility and reduce pain. It’s often used in combination with other soft tissue techniques.
Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) Techniques
- Astym® Therapy: Utilizes specific protocols and instruments to rejuvenate healthy soft tissues and eliminate unwanted scar tissue.
- Graston Technique®: Involves stainless steel instruments to reduce restrictions by stretching connective tissues so that their structure is modified.
- HawkGrips® Therapy: Employs an array 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 listed treatment methods has been validated by research to have its unique applications and benefits, and one of our professional Town and Country, MO physical therapists can tailor these techniques to the condition affecting you and your lifestyle goals. We’ll use these techniques, in combination with other therapies and patient education, to assist in your healing and get you back to the activities you love.
Benefits of Soft Tissue Mobilization for Town and Country, MO Patients
Soft tissue mobilization, when carried out by qualified Town and Country, MO physical therapists such as those at Axes, offers a array of benefits to Town and Country, MO patients experiencing various musculoskeletal conditions. Here’s a detailed look at some of the key advantages:
- Kickstart the Body’s Natural healing Process —
- Improved Blood Flow: Soft tissue mobilization techniques improve blood flow to the affected area, supplying essential nutrients and oxygen to injured areas, thus hastening the healing process.
- Reduced Inflammation: These techniques contribute to reducing 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 regeneration of healthy tissue.
- Improvement in Tissue Alignment and Function —
- Restoration of Normal Tissue Function: By releasing tension and restrictions in soft tissues, these techniques bring back normal function and range of motion.
- Improved Flexibility: Regular soft tissue mobilization can lead to enhanced flexibility and strength in the muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
- Alignment Correction: These methods can assist in correcting collagen fibers and improve the overall structure of soft tissues.
- Reduction of Pain and Increased Mobility —
- Pain Relief: Soft tissue mobilization is effective in alleviating chronic pain and discomfort related to various conditions.
- Increased Mobility: By addressing 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 be instrumental in preventing future injuries by maintaining healthy, supple tissues.
The benefits of soft tissue mobilization, especially when coupled with Axes Physical Therapy’s holistic and custom-tailored approach to care in Town and Country, MO, are profound. When you form a treatment team with us, you’ll not only find relief from your present ailments but also relish an enhanced quality of life with enhanced physical function.
Conditions Treated with Soft Tissue Mobilization in Town and Country, MO
Axes Physical Therapy uses soft tissue mobilization, including IASTM techniques, to treat a wide spectrum of conditions, each with its specific challenges and requirements. Here’s how these approaches are applied across multiple types of injuries and conditions in Town and Country, MO:
Acute Injuries
Acute injuries refer to sudden physical traumas to the body, usually resulting from accidents or specific incidents during activities, like sports injuries. These injuries usually involve sudden pain, swelling, and loss of function. Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization and other soft tissue mobilization techniques play a vital role in lessening inflammation, facilitating 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 characterized by continuous pain, stiffness, and usually a gradual onset. Soft tissue mobilization is effective in these scenarios for dissolving scar tissue, relieving pain, and improving range of motion.
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 adhesions and restricted flexibility. Soft tissue mobilization, especially instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization, is crucial in these situations for improving tissue healing, reducing 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 utilizing soft tissue mobilization techniques properly, Axes Physical Therapy effectively addresses a wide array of conditions, helping Town and Country, MO patients in their path towards wellness, better quality of life, and getting back to the activities they cherish.
Other conditions we treat in Town and Country, 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 Town and Country, MO Today
Axes Physical Therapy in Town and Country, MO integrates experience, compassion, and a personalized approach to deliver optimal results in soft tissue mobilization. Choosing Axes entails becoming part of a team that values your health and wellbeing, striving not just for immediate relief but for ongoing functional improvement that brings you back to the activities you enjoy the most securely and effectively. Don’t let pain or mobility issues stop you any longer. Reach out to Axes Physical Therapy in Town and Country, 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.
