Soft tissue therapy
Encyclopedia
Soft tissue therapy is the assessment
, treatment
and management of soft tissue
injury, pain and dysfunction primarily of the neuromusculoskeletal system.
Licensed health care professionals who typically provide soft tissue manual therapy include chiropractors, massage therapists, physical therapists and some osteopathic
and naturopathic doctors and other providers of manual therapy
. Repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) also known as cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs) of the soft tissues are becoming increasingly prevalent and account for the majority of disability
and impairment
cists.
Typically, regulated healthcare professionals who provide soft tissue therapy have a background in anatomy, physiology, pathology, pathophysiology, biomechanics, functional anatomy, as well as tactile/palpatory and functional movement assessments.
When the findings of an assessment suggest that the client may have a condition or signs and symptoms that are beyond the scope of a practitioners skill-set, training, and/or specialisation, they will refer that client to the most appropriate healthcare professional.
As with most professions, the more refined the practitioner's skills, coupled with their understanding of anatomy
, physiology
, and dysfunction
the more intricate may be the treatment applications.
Generally, any one of these techniques alone, or in combination, may provide the solution to an ache, pain, or an injury. However, claims that any particular soft tissue technique will alleviate a specific condition, predictably, every time, are deceptive.
After an injury to the soft tissue, muscles or tendons due to sports activities, over exertion or Repetitive strain injury
such as Carpal tunnel syndrome
, swelling often impedes blood flood to the injured area slowing down the healing process. Trained musculoskeletal specialists are effective in relieving pressure caused by swollen tissue and enhancing blood circulation to the injured fascia tissue and muscle mass using elastic taping.
Health assessment
A health assessment is a plan of care that identifies the specific needs of the client and how those needs will be addressed by the healthcare organization or skilled nursing facility....
, treatment
Therapy
This is a list of types of therapy .* Adventure therapy* Animal-assisted therapy* Aquatic therapy* Aromatherapy* Art and dementia* Art therapy* Authentic Movement* Behavioral therapy* Bibliotherapy* Buteyko Method* Chemotherapy...
and management of soft tissue
Soft tissue
In anatomy, the term soft tissue refers to tissues that connect, support, or surround other structures and organs of the body, not being bone. Soft tissue includes tendons, ligaments, fascia, skin, fibrous tissues, fat, and synovial membranes , and muscles, nerves and blood vessels .It is sometimes...
injury, pain and dysfunction primarily of the neuromusculoskeletal system.
Licensed health care professionals who typically provide soft tissue manual therapy include chiropractors, massage therapists, physical therapists and some osteopathic
Osteopathy
Osteopathy and osteopathic medicine are often used interchangeably for the philosophy and system of alternative medical practice first proposed by A. T. Still MD, DO in 1874....
and naturopathic doctors and other providers of manual therapy
Manual therapy
Manual therapy, manipulative therapy, or manual & manipulative therapy is a physical treatment primarily used by physiotherapists, chiropractors, osteopaths to treat musculoskeletal pain and disability; it most commonly includes massage therapy, joint mobilization and joint...
. Repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) also known as cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs) of the soft tissues are becoming increasingly prevalent and account for the majority of disability
Disability
A disability may be physical, cognitive, mental, sensory, emotional, developmental or some combination of these.Many people would rather be referred to as a person with a disability instead of handicapped...
and impairment
Impairment
Impairment may refer to:* A medical condition that leads to disability* In accounting, a downward revaluation of fixed assets* In health, any loss or abnormality of physiological, psychological, or anatomical structure or function, whether permanent or temporary...
cists.
Typically, regulated healthcare professionals who provide soft tissue therapy have a background in anatomy, physiology, pathology, pathophysiology, biomechanics, functional anatomy, as well as tactile/palpatory and functional movement assessments.
Postural and functional assessments
Clients presenting with a specific complaint/s will generally undergo a number of assessments that will each provide information about the client's soft tissue status. These assessments are conducted according to the client's presenting signs and symptoms. The purpose of this process is to help identify the most likely cause of the pain or injury. They may include assessments of posture, biomechanics, range of movement, nervous system, among others.When the findings of an assessment suggest that the client may have a condition or signs and symptoms that are beyond the scope of a practitioners skill-set, training, and/or specialisation, they will refer that client to the most appropriate healthcare professional.
Treatment strategies
The specific treatment application of an ache, pain, or injury will be solely reliant on the conclusions reached by the assessments. Any number of treatment techniques may be used to achieve optimal treatment results.As with most professions, the more refined the practitioner's skills, coupled with their understanding of anatomy
Anatomy
Anatomy is a branch of biology and medicine that is the consideration of the structure of living things. It is a general term that includes human anatomy, animal anatomy , and plant anatomy...
, physiology
Physiology
Physiology is the science of the function of living systems. This includes how organisms, organ systems, organs, cells, and bio-molecules carry out the chemical or physical functions that exist in a living system. The highest honor awarded in physiology is the Nobel Prize in Physiology or...
, and dysfunction
Dysfunction
Dysfunction can refer to:* Abnormality * Dysfunctional family* Sexual dysfunction* Dysfunction , an album by the rock band Staind...
the more intricate may be the treatment applications.
Manual techniques
- Trigger Point techniques provide relief from Myofascial Trigger points.
- Myofascial Therapy, that targets the muscle and fascial systems, promotes flexibility and mobility of the body's connective tissues. Likewise, it mobilises fibrous adhesions and reduces the severity and sensitivity of scarring caused by injury or surgery.
- MassageMassageMassage is the manipulation of superficial and deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue to enhance function, aid in the healing process, and promote relaxation and well-being. The word comes from the French massage "friction of kneading", or from Arabic massa meaning "to touch, feel or handle"...
techniques, traditionally known as Swedish massage, may be used as part of a treatment application. Referred to, in Soft Tissue Therapy, as broad-handed techniques, this mode of treatment aims to reduce swelling and / or inflammation.
- Cross friction create heat, which in turn provides the impetus for the mobilisation of adhesions between fascial layers, muscles, compartments and other soft tissues. Frictions are also thought to create an inflammatory response that instigates a focus to an injured area, thereby, promoting healing, especially in tendon pathologies.
- Sustained Pressure (ischaemic / digital pressure) alleviates hypertonicHypertoniaHypertonia a condition marked by an abnormal increase in muscle tension and a reduced ability of a muscle to stretch. It is caused by lesions to upper motor neurons in the central nervous system, which carry information from the central nervous system to the muscles and control posture, muscle...
(tight) areas within muscle and fascia.
- Other Techniques such as Active Release TechniqueActive Release TechniqueActive Release Technique is a soft tissue system/movement-based massage technique developed and patented by P. Michael Leahy, DC, CCSP...
, Myofascial ReleaseMyofascial ReleaseThe myofascial release approach is a form of soft tissue therapy used to treat somatic dysfunction and resulting pain and restriction of motion. It is a treatment described by Andrew Taylor Still, founder of osteopathy/osteopathic medicine, and his early students, which uses continual palpatory...
and / or Deep tissue massageDeep tissue massageA deep tissue massage is designed to relieve severe tension in the muscle and the connective tissue or fascia. This type of massage focuses on the muscles located below the surface of the top muscles...
are all combinations of the techniques listed above.
Generally, any one of these techniques alone, or in combination, may provide the solution to an ache, pain, or an injury. However, claims that any particular soft tissue technique will alleviate a specific condition, predictably, every time, are deceptive.
Stretching
- Static stretchingStatic stretchingStatic stretching is used to stretch muscles while the body is at rest. It is composed of various techniques that gradually lengthen a muscle to an elongated position and hold that position for 30 seconds to two minutes...
attempts to alleviate excessively hypertonic (tight) muscles.
- PNF stretchingPNF stretchingPNF stretching, or proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching, is an occupational therapy and physical therapy procedure designed in the 1940s and 1950s to rehabilitate patients with paralysis. It is often a combination of passive stretching and isometrics contractions. In the 1980s,...
(proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitationFacilitationThe term facilitation is broadly used to describe any activity which makes tasks for others easy. For example:* Facilitation is used in business and organizational settings to ensure the designing and running of successful meetings....
) is used in an attempt decrease the tone in a muscle or muscle group that is assessed as being hypertonic (tight).
- To treat DOMS (delayed onset muscle sorenessDelayed onset muscle sorenessDelayed onset muscle soreness , also called muscle fever, is the pain and stiffness felt in muscles several hours to days after unaccustomed or strenuous exercise. The soreness is felt most strongly 24 to 72 hours after the exercise. It is caused by eccentric exercise...
), Proprioreceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) is typically used.
- The use of very light muscular contractions, in very specific directions is muscle energy techniqueMuscle Energy TechniqueMuscle Energy Technique is a type of osteopathic manipulative treatment used in osteopathic medicine and physical therapy . It is a form of osteopathic manipulative diagnosis and treatment in which the patient’s muscles are actively used on request, from a precisely controlled position, in a...
(M.E.T.). Refined more than 100 years ago in the field of osteopathyOsteopathyOsteopathy and osteopathic medicine are often used interchangeably for the philosophy and system of alternative medical practice first proposed by A. T. Still MD, DO in 1874....
, this technique, alters joint restriction and joint range of motionRange of motionRange of motion , is the distance that a movable object may normally travel while properly attached to another object. It is also called range of travel, particularly when talking about mechanical devices and in mechanical engineering fields...
, through altering the length of local musculature.
Exercise prescription
Dysfunctional soft tissues are either too short and tight or too long and weak. Dependent on assessment findings, some clients may be required to undertake a series of exercises, to strengthen, or simply to "switch-on" particular muscles or muscle groups.Taping
Soft tissue practitioners and muscular skeletal specialists often use therapeutic taping or strapping techniques with success to relieve pressure on swollen injured soft tissue or to alter muscle firing patterns or to provide support during healing. These techniques are designed to enhance lymphatic fluid exchange and allow the body to return to its natural healing process.After an injury to the soft tissue, muscles or tendons due to sports activities, over exertion or Repetitive strain injury
Repetitive strain injury
Repetitive strain injury is an injury of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems that may be caused by...
such as Carpal tunnel syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is an entrapment idiopathic median neuropathy, causing paresthesia, pain, and other symptoms in the distribution of the median nerve due to its compression at the wrist in the carpal tunnel. The pathophysiology is not completely understood but can be considered compression...
, swelling often impedes blood flood to the injured area slowing down the healing process. Trained musculoskeletal specialists are effective in relieving pressure caused by swollen tissue and enhancing blood circulation to the injured fascia tissue and muscle mass using elastic taping.