Soft Tissue Mobilization

How soft tissue mobilization works

Soft tissue injuries have been known to occur when muscles are very tense and contracted. They can also happen as a result of a sprained ankle or other sudden trauma. When dealing with a soft tissue injury, you may feel weak muscles, pain, and less ability to move around freely.

Physical therapists will perform soft tissue mobilization using manual techniques to break up adhesions on your muscles, fascia, and ligaments. Adhesions can also be thought of like scar tissue that forms as your body heals itself after an injury to soft tissue. A soft tissue injury comes in many forms, including:

• Tendonitis
• Sprains
• Strains
• Stress injuries
• Bursitis
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Fibromyalgia
• IT Band Syndrome
• Tennis Elbow
• Running injuries
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Post-surgical scarring

Soft tissue mobilization can help to:

• Break down adhesions such as scar tissue
• Decrease pain
• Decrease swelling
• Improve range of motion
• Lengthen muscles and tendons
• Strengthen the immune system
• Improve oxygen flow
• Increase endorphins
• Relieve muscle tension

Techniques that involve soft tissue mobilization include:

ASTYM®

• ASTYM®treatment is a physical therapy treatment that regenerates healthy soft tissues (muscles, tendons, etc.), and eliminates or reduces unwanted scar tissue that may be causing pain or movement restrictions.

IASTM

• IASTM stands for “Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization” such as the Graston Technique, or HawkGrips
• Graston Technique incorporates a patented form of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization that enables clinicians to effectively detect and treat scar tissue and restrictions that affect normal function.

Schedule your appointment today at an Ivy Rehab Network location near you to learn more about soft tissue mobilization.