Chiropractic treatment involves a wide range of manipulative techniques. These techniques are designed to improve the function of the joints, relieving pain and muscle spasm. Other methods of treatment such as mobilisation, soft tissue therapies, stretches, dry needling and the use of rehabilitation programmes may also be used.
In this post, our London chiropractor explains more about soft tissue therapy and the various techniques that may be used by a chiropractor when treating a patient.
Types Of Soft Tissue Therapy
The types of soft tissue therapy used by your chiropractor will depend on the nature of your condition. Your chiropractor will perform several postural, biomechanical, range of movement, and neural tests in order to identify the root cause of your pain or injury before commencing treatment. The types of soft tissue therapy that may be commonly used by a chiropractor include:
Trigger Point Therapy
Also known as muscle knots, trigger points are taut bands of skeletal muscle which can cause tenderness, pain, and impaired mobility. There are several possible causes for trigger points including muscle overuse, trauma, electrolyte imbalance, inflammation, infections and nerve pain.
Muscles that have trigger points are usually weaker than the surrounding muscles. This can cause the surrounding muscles to become overworked, which is why trigger points sometimes lead to referred pain, which is felt in a different part of the body to the site of the injury.
Chiropractors can apply direct pressure to release trigger points, restoring function and providing pain relief.
Fascial Therapy
The fascia is tissue that surrounds each muscle and helps to connect bands of muscles. It also connects ligaments, tendons, bone, organs, and nerves to create a body-wide functional network.
Chiropractors can perform several stretches along the fascia lines that connect the different components of your body. These stretches can enhance the mobility of the nerves and flexibility of your muscles.
Soft Tissue Release
The chiropractor will apply pressure on a sore muscle to create a temporary attachment point. This allows the patient to move into a pain-free stretch which relieves tension and soreness.
Cupping
Cupping involves the application of heated cups to the skin to mobilise the fascia. It can also be used to mobilise thickened connective tissue or scarred tissue. Cupping can be useful for treating parts of the body which are too damaged for hands-only techniques to be effective.
Dry Needling
Dry needling involves pressing thin filament needles into tight muscles to release trigger points. When the needle enters the muscle, it causes the muscle to twitch and relax. As the muscle relaxes, the body releases natural analgesics called endorphins which results in pain relief.
Cross Friction Massage
Also known as transverse friction massage, this technique is performed at the site of an injury, to break down scar tissue. This makes the tissue more flexible and functional. It can also be used to improve adhesions between fascial layers, muscles, and other components. Some chiropractors will also use it to treat tendon injuries.
Broad Handed Techniques
Broad handed massage techniques can be used to reduce swelling after a patient has had an injury or surgery. These techniques can also be useful for speeding up recovery and easing pain after playing sport or overdoing it at work.
Massage techniques
Most chiropractors will also know a variety of massage techniques which can be used to relieve pain, restore range of motion, and promote healing.
Heat Therapy
Chiropractors can use heat to encourage blood flow to an injured part of the body. The additional blood flow will speed up the healing process, assist with waste removal, and can relieve pain.
Cold Therapy
Cold therapy can be used to reduce inflammation and restrict the number of nerve pathways that are available for pain signals to travel to the brain. This type of therapy can use ice packs, cold sprays, and cooling gels. Compression wraps can also be used to further prevent swelling.
Stretching
Chiropractors have extensive knowledge when it comes to stretching techniques and will be able to teach you a variety of stretches that improve your health. They can walk you through several stretches during your chiropractic session, to ensure you are performing them correctly.
Chiropractic at London Chiropractor MotionBack
Chiropractic is a primary healthcare profession that specializes in the diagnosis, treatment and overall management of conditions that are due to problems with the joints, ligaments, tendons and nerves, especially related to the spine.
Our experienced team of London chiropractors focus on finding the cause of your symptoms, not just your symptoms. Chiropractic treatment is suitable for both acute (recent) and chronic (long term) conditions.
If you are you are in pain or discomfort, our professional team of chiropractors are here to help you. To book an appointment at our London chiropractic clinic. give us a call on 0207 112 5408 or book online at our website here.