Doctors employ various soft tissue techniques to find and treat patients with soft-tissue disorders effectively. The devices have been crafted from a wide variety of materials.

Injuries to tendons, muscles, ligaments, or tissue are soft-tissue injuries. Excessive usage or a sudden force to an area of the body are other common causes of soft-tissue disorders, along with the more obvious sprains and strains.

Injuries to the body’s soft tissues can cause a lot of discomforts, including pain, bruising, swelling, and even the inability to perform certain tasks. Tissue adhesions can form for several reasons, including overuse, surgery, prolonged immobility, or even just sitting still for a long time. H2T PT services include assisted soft tissue techniques, chiropractic adjustment, post-isometric relaxation, and more from any of their knowledgeable chiropractic doctors. 

What Is Instrument-Assisted Soft-Tissue Mobilization?

Instrument-assisted soft-tissue mobilization (IASTM) uses tools to manually exert shear forces and pressure on the skin. Issues to the soft tissues are commonly treated using IASTM, including tendinitis, plantar fasciitis, and bursitis. The purpose of intra-articular soft tissue manipulation (IASTM) is to facilitate healing by reducing scar tissue, increasing blood flow, and reducing pain.

A physiotherapist or other medical expert is usually the one to carry out IASTM. The devices employed can range in size and shape, but they all serve the same purpose of applying a measured and controlled pressure. In most cases, three to five soft tissue techniques (each lasting around 10 to 15 minutes) are recommended. While most patients report no pain during or after IASTM treatment, others may feel tender or bruised.

Why Is IASTM Important?

Soft-tissue injuries are notorious for being ignored until they have progressed to a chronic stage before patients require physical therapy. Self-healing processes in the body are largely finished at this time. While necessary for recovery, adhesions and scar tissue formation can restrict movement and create discomfort; thus, the need for physical therapy in West Palm Beach.

Scar tissue and Adhesions function similarly to “super glue” in construction—scar tissue forms when new cells are set down excessively and disordered in response to an injury. Adhesions or scar tissue prohibit the muscle or other tissue from extending normally.

Sometimes the recovery process needs to reset so the physical therapist can remodel the injured area’s connective tissue. Using IASTM, a localized tissue response can be induced by inducing controlled microtrauma to the afflicted soft tissue. This microtrauma stimulates the resorption of excessive or incorrect scar tissue and allows for rebuilding the afflicted soft-tissue structures.

Scar tissue is remodeled after IASTM treatment, with the reorganized cells helping to improve mobility. Clinical effects of IASTM have been demonstrated in post-treatment increases in range of strength, motion, and decreased pain sensation.

When Is IASTM Applicable? 

IASTM may help alleviate pain, injury, or disease in any delicate tissue in the body. People that do the same motion hundreds or thousands of times each day fall into this category. Here are just a few examples of the various conditions that respond well to H2T PT’s IASTM treatment with one of their physical therapy in West Palm Beach:

  • Increased amounts of scar tissue
  • Tendonitis and tendinopathy come in many forms, from sore Achilles tendons to golfer’s elbows
  • Injuries to muscle and ligaments
  • Common injuries sustained by runners include IT band syndrome and plantar fasciitis

Contact the Experts for Help

H2T PT has chiropractic doctors well-trained and knowledgeable to assist you in returning to your life in your best shape after surgery or injury. Based in Florida, the facility has specialists in the most effective and the latest techniques to restore your health. Contact H2T PT today to schedule an appointment and get treated.