What is soft tissue therapy?

Soft tissue therapy is more than just sports massage. It involves assessment, treatment, management and maintenance of soft tissue dysfunction and injury. Pain and dysfunction may be caused by many factors including lifestyle, workplace and sports. Soft tissue therapy looks to treat the muscles, fascia, tendons, ligaments and joints. This is by manipulation of the soft tissue involving massage and other advanced techniques. It addresses the underlying causes of injury and dysfunction through treatment and rehabilitative prescribed exercises.

Soft tissue therapy works to:

  • Relieve pain.
  • Break down scar tissue from a previous injury.
  • Improve posture.
  • Improve flexibility and range of movement.
  • Assist injury prevention through early detection.
  • identify the root cause of discomfort.
  • aid recovery.
  • Optimise performance.
  • Optimise functional movement patterns.

Below are some of the many methods and techniques that may be used as part of a treatment plan.

 

Sports massage

  • Increases circulation
  • Assists the lymphatic system.
  • Restores mobility to injured or tight muscle tissue.
  • Relieves pain, fatigue and stiffness.
  • Reduces stress and aids relaxation
  • Prevents Injury

Muscle energy techniques 

An advanced technique which restores the length in tight muscle and therefore helps with joint function.

 

Soft tissue release

An advanced technique which isolates tight areas within muscles, tendons, ligaments and fascia to stretch them back to functional length.

 

Myofascial dry cupping 

Cupping increases blood flow to an injured area and fluid movement which will assist in recovery by potentially reducing swelling. The cups create a negative pressure which passively stretches myofascial tissue, resulting in an increased range of movement. Cups are also effective in decompressing an areas by breaking up and expelling congestion. 

 

Myofascial release

Fascia surrounds every muscle and organ in the body. This is a gentle release to relieve tension.

 

Neuromuscular techniques

An advanced technique which re-establishes the connection between the nervous system and the muscle tissue. These are administered to specific points known as trigger points.

Taping
Not only does taping support weak or injured muscles it can also help with pain reduction, increased proprioception, better movement, optimised recovery, improved function, postural support and reduction of swelling through increased lymphatic drainage. 

Injury management and recovery
A carefully designed treatment plan will be devised to ensure optimum recovery and prevent re-injury. This will include rehabilitative exercises in line with the bodies healing process.
Injury management must address:
  • Swelling and inflammation
  • Scar tissue formation
  • Restoration of range of movement
  • Restoration of strength and flexibility
  • Correction of posture and biomechanics
  • Proprioceptive control, the bodies ability to know where to place a limb without looking.
Myofasical dry cupping image
Tapping image