SOFT TISSUE THERAPY

Soft Tissue Therapy (STT) is a specialist technique which is highly effective in treating injury, pain and dysfunction primarily of the musculoskeletal system, for instance sports related or repetitive strain injuries and stiff and/or painful back and neck conditions.

STT combines mobilisation of the soft tissue with biomechanics, deep tissue massage, muscle stretching techniques as well as work on acupressure points or muscle energy techniques (MET) and neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) to decrease the tone in a muscle or muscle group that is assessed as being hypertonic (tight) and to alter joint restriction and joint range of motion, through altering the length of local muscular structures.

STT is highly effective at releasing tension in the muscles, tendons, ligaments, skin, joints, or other connective tissue. It is also useful for mobilisation of fibrous adhesions or inflammation, so can be a valuable aid to post surgery recovery or chronic conditions such as RSI, back pain or arthritic pain.

The most common benefits of STT are:

• To alleviate musculo-skeletal pain.
• Improve Repetitive Stress Injuries conditions
• Reduce postsurgery adhesions and swelling.
• Increase joint flexibility and enhance the range of motion of joints.
• Improve movement during specific tasks
• Ease pain medication dependence.
• Exercise and stretch weak, tight, or atrophied muscles.
• Release endorphins—amino acids that work as the body’s natural painkiller.
• Improved pain management and mobility, post operative or injury recovery

Enhanced sports performance

• Help athletes of any level prepare for, and recover from, strenuous workouts or competitive events (such as marathons or high impact sport).
• Reduce spasms and cramping.
• Relax and soften injured, tired, and overused muscles.

Improved general health, Fitness and well being

• Exercise and stretch weak, tight, or atrophied muscles.
• Lessen depression and anxiety. Relieve stress and stress related headache or muscular and joint pain
• Improve the condition of the body’s largest organ—the skin.
• Promote tissue regeneration, reducing scar tissue and adhesions after a trauma and stretch marks.
• Pump oxygen and nutrients into tissues , improving circulation.

How does STT work?

When musculoskeletal problems occur there is a change in the tone of the tissues concerned. The nervous system is responsible for automatically monitoring this change and sending signals to the brain: Thus, muscular tension increases around a trauma (or repetitive micro –trauma) to protect the area and in other related tissues. These may become habitually held in a shortened position.

STT incorporates a number of neuromuscular facilitation based “stretching” and mobilisation techniques. These regulate over tightening, unlock muscle energy and relieve spasm in a specific area. Advanced muscle and joint therapy techniques, including PNF stretches ( proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation), MET (Muscle Energy Technique) – which used light, carefully controlled muscular contraction, and myofascial therapy (which works on the layer covering the muscles) are used in combination, to optimize muscle and joint tone and function.

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