SOFT TISSUE MANIPULATION

Soft tissue mobilization is a form of manual physical therapy where Dr. Noel uses hands-on techniques on your muscles, ligaments and fascia in order to break adhesions and optimize your muscle function.

Adhesions are your body’s attempt to heal a soft tissue injury with a lengthy inflammation process, resulting in long strands of collagenous scar tissue. These new tissues pull against one another, forming trigger points of pain.

Goals of Soft Tissue Mobilization:

• Break down or reduce adhesions
• Improve range of motion
• Lengthen muscles and tendons
• Reduce swelling and edema
• Decrease pain
• Restore functionality

Soft Tissue Mobilization Techniques

Specific techniques for soft tissue mobilization include:

Sustained pressure – pushing directly on the restricted tissue and holding

Unlocking spiral – pushing on the restricted tissue in alternating clockwise and counterclockwise rotating motions

Direct oscillations – rhythmic pushing on the restricted tissue

Perpendicular mobilization – pushing on the myofascial tissue at right angles

Parallel mobilization – pushing along the seams of muscles

Perpendicular strumming – rhythmic pushing along muscle border, followed by rubber of top of muscle

Friction massage – pushing across the grain of the muscles, tendons and ligaments

Being able to implement soft tissue mobilization techniques requires a significant amount of training in human anatomy and physiology and understand how manipulating the tissues will impact physical function. 

Soft tissue mobilization can help relieve pain and improve function.

To help achieve optimal results with soft tissue mobilization, we encourage you to:

• Do your home exercises faithfully
• Maintain a normal body weight
• Get regular aerobic exercise
• Engage in weight training, as directed by your physician