Specific Soft Tissue Massage and Myofascial Release
Specific Soft Tissue Massage (SSTM) and Myofascial Release (MFR) are treatment techniques widely used by physiotherapists aimed at assessing the soft tissues of the body and treating them accordingly through hands on treatment.
Specific Soft Tissue Massage is a specific type of massage. It aims to;
- relax muscles, decrease spasms and relieve muscle tension
- improve the healing time of strained muscular tissue by increasing the blood circulation and lymph flow
- reduced the inflammation of joints and heart rate
- improve joint range of motion and flexibility
- increase endorphins and strengthen the immune system
There are several types of SSTM. Physiotherapists in particular use;
- Trigger Point Release – provides relief from chronic muscle pain. It targets the muscle and promotes flexibility of the body's connective tissue
- Frictioning – creates heat and increases blood flow that in turn promotes healing to an injured area
Myofascial Release is a form of massage that enables the physiotherapist to feel and slowly stretch into the body's fascial network. Fascia, sometimes called fibrous bands or connective tissue, is a 3D continuous web of microscopic hollow tubules that extends without interruption from the top of the head to the tip of the toes. It surrounds, infuses and protects every other tissue, tendon, muscle, bone, ligament and organ in the body.
Following all physical and emotional trauma, and even through poor posture, fascia can scar and harden in the affected area and along the tension lines imposed on it. As a result the fascial network loses its cushioning mechanism. The sustained, gentle pressure provided through MFR allows the fascia to return to its normal resting length, thereby restoring health and providing results that are both measurable and functional.