Soft Tissue Mobilization Overview

Soft Tissue Mobilization Overview

• Soft tissue mobilization is a manual therapy technique targeting soft tissues.
• Techniques aim to improve pain, range of motion (ROM), and function.
• Short-term improvements are observed, but longer-term tissue changes are not consistently supported by high-quality evidence.
• Neurophysiological effects play a key role, with the approach impacting the patient's nervous system.

Objectives

• Understand indicators and contraindications for soft tissue mobilization.
• Demonstrate proficiency in common soft tissue mobilization techniques.

Mechanisms, Indications, and Contraindications

• Mechanisms: The presentation discusses neurophysiological effects, but highlights the lack of strong evidence for lasting structural changes to tissues.
• Indications: Pain, muscle guarding/spasm, restricted range of motion (ROM), scar tissue, fluid mobilization, and muscle stimulation are listed as potential indications.
• Contraindications: The following are listed as contraindications: skin conditions (open wounds, rashes, burns), infection, fever, suspected deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or clotting disorders, phlebitis, active bruising, and congestive heart failure.

Precautions

• Altered skin sensation
• Immune system disorders
• Areas around fractures or joint instability

Soft Tissue Mobilization Techniques

• Overview: Techniques discussed include effleurage, petrissage, trigger point therapy, pin and stretch, and cross-friction massage are part of the overall approach.
• Effleurage: Gentle, broad strokes for relaxation, circulation, and warming up tissues.
• Petrissage: Deeper pressure, kneading movements, slow and rhythmic, to decrease tension and spasm, and reduce pain.
• Trigger Point Therapy: Targeting hyperirritable spots within taut bands of muscles with focused pressure until discomfort subsides as a method of releasing trigger points.
• Pin and Stretch: Applying pressure to a trigger point while stretching the opposing muscle line of force.
• Cross-Friction Massage: Treating hypersensitive connective tissues using stacked fingers and applying forces perpendicular to the tissues' fiber orientation

Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM)

• Description: utilizes tools like Graston, ASTYM, or Gua Sha to stimulate fascia and fibroblasts for improved vibratory perception within soft tissues, aiming to improve tissue texture distinction.
• Mechanisms: Claims exist about breaking fascial restrictions and scar tissue, though evidence is cited as lacking high-quality support. However, some evidence exists regarding increasing fibroblast activity and neurophysiological effects.
• Techniques: Presentation mentions brushing, sweeping, fanning, and strumming.