Soft Tissue Mobilization

Soft Tissue mobilization is an essential portion for care for many patients with musculoskeletal complaints. At the clinic we offer a variety of soft tissue therapies to meet the needs of each individuals complaints. The goal for soft tissue mobilization is to stimulate a decrease in muscular tension and tone. Soft tissue mobilization causes minor tissue micortrauma to jump start the bodies natural form of healing, similar to weight training. This effect tends to lead to a decrease in pain, improved tissue mobility, and increased range of motion in the area of dysfunction.

Soft tissue mobilization is beneficial for tendonitis, tendonosis, strain/sprain injuries, back pain, neck pain, and edema or swellling. The most commonly used techniques are Trigger Point Therapy, Active Muscle Release, Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (Graston), and cupping.

Trigger point therapy uses compressive, static force on an area of increased tone and tenderness, usually holding compression from 10-30 seconds per area of dysfunction.

Active muscle release is a compressive technique that is used while the patient is actively moving through a range of motion. Active muslce release is usually done for 1-2 minutes per area of complaint.

Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) uses smooth steel tools to treat the area of complaint. The tools can be used in a variety of different ways to enhance the previous two techniques or they can be used in a repeative stroke. The goal is to cause small microtrauma to the area of dysfunction to cause improve tissue healing and decrease muscular tension.

Cupping is a decompressive muscle technique that instead of using downward pressure uses upward pull on the muscle. Cupping is a unique form of soft tissue therapy because it allows for a different, unique pressure on the muscle compared to most other techniques. Cupping tends leave circular marks on the area that received treatment.

All soft tissue therapies are done to patient need and tolerance. Our goal with these therapies is to use the appropriate amount of pressure to cause the most beneficial outcome for the patient. Some patients tolerate more pressure than others but at the same time more pressure is not always better. If you have any questions about any of the therapies above feel free to ask.