Hands-on therapy breaks up scar tissue and lengthens muscles. The experts at Sentara use soft tissue mobilization (manual therapy) to help you heal after injury.
Soft Tissue Mobilization: Why Choose Sentara?
As part of your personalized physical therapy program, therapists use soft tissue mobilization to reduce pain and improve range of motion. This approach uses specialized stainless steel instruments to release scar tissue and soft tissue restrictions.
Manual Therapy Treatment
Our physical therapists use specific techniques to manipulate soft tissue in the body. Soft tissue includes:
- Fascia (dense tissue surrounding bones, muscles and internal organs)
- Muscles
- Nerves
- Ligaments (bands of tissue that connect bones or hold a joint together)
- Tendons (strong, flexible tissue that attaches muscle to bone)
We knead, push and pull soft tissue in specific ways, including:
- Angular pushing (pushing on tissue at certain angles)
- Circular motions
- Direct pressure
- Parallel pushing (pushing along muscle seams)
- Rhythmic pulsing
Graston Technique®
Trained Sentara experts use this instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization technique to break up adhesions (scar tissue) and other restricted tissue. We rub special stainless-steel instruments over the affected tissue in specific ways to stretch and separate fibers that form after injury.
Conditions We Treat With Manual Therapy
We use soft tissue mobilization to treat conditions that cause pain and stiffness, including:
- Bruising
- Bursitis
- Muscle weakness
- Nerve issues
- Repetitive motion or stress injuries
- Sprains and strains
- Tendonitis
Benefits of Soft Tissue Mobilization
Manual therapy helps break down myofascial trigger points (knots) in muscles and improve muscle function. Benefits of manual therapy include:
- Increased flexibility and range of motion
- Lengthening of tissue
- Release of adhesions
Soft tissue mobilization also helps treat swelling (lymphedema). Learn more about lymphedema therapy.
Request an Appointment
Learn more about our locations and schedule an appointment at a Sentara Therapy Center near you.