Soft tissue mobilization in Wildwood, MO. Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization is crucial for treating numerous injuries, conditions, and disorders. This therapeutic approach, centered around working on and relieving soft tissue including the muscles, ligaments, and tendons, doesn’t just help reduce pain the day of your appointment, but reestablishes functionality and boosts the body’s natural healing process, aiding our Wildwood, MO patients get better faster and more effectively. Soft tissue mobilization is particularly useful for Wildwood, MO patients who want to avoid surgery or medications.
Axes Physical Therapy is run by a group of local Wildwood, MO physical and occupational therapists. We blend our passion with enhancing our patients’ lives with evidence-backed treatment methods to get Wildwood, MO residents back to the activities they love. Whether you were recently injured, suffer from a chronic condition, or are in 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 get started today.
About Soft Tissue Mobilization
Soft tissue mobilization is a restorative treatment method used in physical therapy to treat conditions impacting the soft tissues of the body, which are the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. This approach incorporates various hands-on methods including gentle strokes to deeper pressure, depending on your specific needs. It’s a key element in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, offering relief and re-establishing function to areas compromised by injury, a medical condition, or chronic conditions.
About Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM)
Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) is an advanced form of soft tissue mobilization that utilizes specialized tools for more precise and deeper tissue manipulation. Based on James Cyriax‘s deep friction massage, this method uses tools crafted from 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 detect and address areas with soft tissue fibrosis or chronic inflammation. Using these instruments enhances the physical therapist’s ability to uncover adhesions and restrictions in the soft tissues, and applies precise pressure to encourage the body’s natural healing process.
Soft Tissue Mobilization and Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (ISTYM) Techniques
Soft tissue mobilization includes an array of techniques, each tailored to tackle specific types of tissue issues and patient needs:
Manual Soft Tissue Mobilization Techniques
- Massage: One of the most well-known forms, 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 targets 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 focuses on trigger points, which are hyperirritable muscles that lead to 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 manual pressure to break up adhesions in muscles and other soft tissues, intending to bring back free movement.
- Cross-Friction Massage: A perpendicular massage technique performed perpendicular to the affected tissue. It’s frequently utilized for tendons and ligaments to enhance circulation and promote healing.
- Lymphatic Drainage: A soothing technique aiming 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 often incorporated into manual soft tissue mobilization to improve flexibility and range of motion. They can be passive (performed by the therapist).
- Joint Mobilization: Consists of passive movement of a joint by the therapist to improve 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 remove unwanted scar tissue.
- 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 aimed at decrease pain in minutes, increase range of motion, and lessen reliance on medication and surgery.
Each of the above techniques has been proven by peer-backed studies to have its specific uses and benefits, and one of our licensed Wildwood, MO physical therapists can tailor these techniques to the condition affecting you and your lifestyle goals. We’ll employ these techniques, in tandem with other therapies and patient education, to help heal you and get you back to the activities you love.
Advantages of Soft Tissue Mobilization for Wildwood, MO Patients
Soft tissue mobilization, when performed by qualified Wildwood, MO physical therapists such as those at Axes, offers a array of benefits to Wildwood, MO patients experiencing various musculoskeletal conditions. Here’s a comprehensive look at some of the key advantages:
- Accelerated Healing Process —
- Improved Blood Flow: Soft tissue mobilization techniques enhance blood flow to the affected area, bringing essential nutrients and oxygen to injured areas, thus accelerating the healing process.
- Reduced Inflammation: These techniques help in reducing inflammation and swelling in affected areas, which is essential for healing.
- Breakdown of Scar Tissue: Specifically with IASTM, the breakdown of scar tissue encourages 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 increased flexibility and strength in the muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
- Alignment Correction: These methods can assist in correcting collagen fibers and enhance the overall structure of soft tissues.
- Reduction of Pain and Increased Mobility —
- Pain Relief: Soft tissue mobilization is helpful in reducing chronic pain and discomfort connected to various conditions.
- Increased Mobility: By targeting 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 ensuring healthy, supple tissues.
The benefits of soft tissue mobilization, especially when coupled with Axes Physical Therapy’s holistic and personalized approach to care in Wildwood, MO, are profound. When you partner with us, you’ll not only achieve relief from your existing ailments but also appreciate an elevated quality of life with enhanced physical function.
Conditions Treated with Soft Tissue Mobilization in Wildwood, MO
Axes Physical Therapy uses soft tissue mobilization, including IASTM techniques, to treat a wide spectrum of conditions, each with its unique challenges and requirements. Here’s how these approaches are implemented across multiple types of injuries and conditions in Wildwood, MO:
Acute Injuries
Acute injuries refer to 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 stability. Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization and other soft tissue mobilization techniques play a crucial role in reducing inflammation, enhancing healing, and reestablishing function in these cases.
Common acute injuries treated include:
- Sprains
- Strains
- Fasciitis
- Tendonitis
Chronic Injuries
Chronic injuries form over time, frequently due to ongoing stress or long-term wear and tear on the body. These injuries are marked by ongoing pain, stiffness, and frequently a gradual onset. Soft tissue mobilization is beneficial in these scenarios for breaking down scar tissue, alleviating pain, and improving strength and mobility.
Common chronic injuries treated include:
- Tendonosis
- ITB Syndrome
- Plantar Fasciitis
Post-Surgical Rehab
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 improving tissue healing, lessening 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 effectively, Axes Physical Therapy adequately manages a vast array of conditions, helping Wildwood, MO patients in their journey towards recovery, enhanced quality of life, and getting back to the activities they love most.
Other services we offer in Wildwood, 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 Wildwood, MO Today
Axes Physical Therapy in Wildwood, MO combines expertise, passion, and a client-focused approach to achieve optimal results in soft tissue mobilization. Choosing Axes entails becoming part of a team that focuses on your health and wellbeing, aiming not just for immediate relief but for long-term functional improvement that returns you back to the activities you love most efficiently and effectively. Don’t let pain or mobility issues keep you down any longer. Reach out to Axes Physical Therapy in Wildwood, 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.
