When talking to your physiotherapist, they’ll come up with a massage treatment that is catered to your specific needs. Not only do they help cure physical pain, but they can increase muscle flexibility, improve your mental well-being, and strengthen your immune system.
For thousands of years, physiotherapy has existed in some form or another. It’s specifically designed to treat those suffering debilitating conditions, whether they were caused by accident or disease. This branch of medicine also incorporates innovative techniques, which have proven to be effective for many soft tissue and joint pains. Here are some of them.
Muscle Energy Techniques
If your joints and soft tissue are experiencing pain, muscle energy techniques may be recommended. These involve patients gently flexing and relaxing particular muscles as directed by a physiotherapist. Sometimes, the specialist applies counterforce to facilitate the healing process. Other times isotonic eccentric contractions are used, involving tissues being stretched slowly during a contraction.
The degree of force and direction of contraction used vary depending on how much pain you are experiencing. This therapeutic tool is advantageous because it’s economical. No specialized or high-tech equipment is needed to perform these techniques; only the patient and a physiotherapist. Additionally, results are often quick, sometimes happening after one or two treatments. Multiple visits are recommended though to promote long-lasting healing.
Soft-Tissue Massages
If a lot of muscles and nerves in your back and neck are aching, then a soft-tissue massage may be recommended by your physiotherapist. Many Americans are catching onto this trend. Between July 2015 and July 2016, 50% of adult Americans who had a massage did so for medical reasons, such as pain management and injury rehabilitation.
This process involves direct physical action on the muscle or soft tissues, targeting tendons, ligaments, and other connective tissue. Your specialist may use classic techniques like effleurage and petrissage. The former involves gentle gliding motions over tissue, while the latter involves kneading manipulation of the muscle. Both techniques promote blood circulation to reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
If your pain is chronic and severe, more advanced techniques may be advised like deep friction. These movements help lessen scar tissue and decrease muscle spasms. Trigger point/soft tissue release has also proven to be effective because it helps elongate the muscle fascia.
Pain and aches should never control your life, and they don’t have to if you seek help from professionals who specialize in physiotherapy. They can perform innovative and effective techniques that decrease pain and improve your range of motion. You can then live a normal life, completely pain-free.
Sources
Physiotherapy: The Importance To Your Health, bestdoctorsblog.com
Massage Therapy Industry Fact Sheet, amtamassage.org
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