For a detailed description of the treatments I offer please the additional information below:
Instrument Assisted Soft-Tissue Manipulation
The tools used in instrument assisted soft tissue manipulation are generally made from polycarbonate or stainless steel (other materials are used). These tools help to break down fascia allowing the fibres to realign and absorb unwanted fibres back into the body. Fascia is a huge support network for the body which helps absorb shock, stabilise joints and the repair of soft tissue in areas under huge or continual stress as well as after damage or micro-trauma.
Fascia is made of collagen & elastin fibres which are laid down in no particular order to help tissue repair. This then becomes an adhesion or scar-tissue which can then create soft-tissue dysfunction as the tissue loses it’s relax/contract properties and starts to create loss of movement, skeletal and neural distortions in the body leading to compensatory patterns.
Soft Tissue Release
STR is a form of breaking down Scar Tissue and Adhesions by locking down an area of Tissue while the limb is kept in a shortened state. The limb is then extended while the pressure is kept on the adhesion to break the fibres down.
This is used to break down and release Fascia and Muscle Tissue layers that have become very bound up and lost the ability to contract & relax. This technique can be incorporated with other treatment modes.
Active Release
ART as it is known is a technique which uses the lengthening process of the muscle tissue while the practitioner irons through the muscle being treated.
This allows for the re-education and re-alignment of Fascia and muscle fibres while also giving a better range of movement. The tension is also taken off the joints and this in turn gives the Skeletal system more freedom of joint movement.
Dry Needling
Dry Needling is a method of releasing tissue using Accupuncture Needles. These range from 13mm to 100mm in length and are between 0.18mm to 0.30mm thick as a general rule.
The needles are inserted to the muscle tissue to create an inflammatory response. This brings white and red blood cells to the area which help clear out toxins from dysfunctional, adhesive tissue and allows muscle fibres to realign.
Dry Needling can also be used in a Dynamic way. This is where the needle is pulled in & out of the tissue, just to the edge of the Fascial layer and pushed back in again in search of dysfunctional Motor Units.
The MUs are controlled by the Nervous system and in turn control the contract/relax response of muscle fibres. If an MU is put into a dysfunctional state this will contract the muscle tissue which it is in charge of and so restricts the ability of the muscle. This can then lead to movement/joint distortions through the body and so compensatory patterns can start thus leading to pain/injury etc.
Muscle Energy Technique
MET can be broken down into two categories. These are Reciprocal Inhibition and Post-isometric Relaxation. These Techniques are used to release the Muscle Tissue without force by the practitioner so makes it a more passive technique.
Reciprocal Inhibition uses the opposing muscles to allow relaxation of the muscle being worked.
Post Isometric Relaxation uses a shortening/resisted stretch of the muscle being treated to increase the end range of motion.
Trigger Point Therapy
Trigger Points are points in Muscle Tissue and Fascia that form due to various muscles traumas. This may be from repetitive actions, weight training, sports or injury. There are several types of TrPs which include Active and Latent TrPs.
Active TrPs are generally very painful and pain will refer to other areas of the body. If left untreated these can cause compensatory patterns and tissue around the TrP will start to overwork which can then create secondary or satellite TrPs.
Latent TrPs are generally not felt until it is pressed into but can still create distortions in how Muscle Tissue works which can lead to breakdown of movement and function in the long run.
TrPs can be worked in several ways. Ischemic pressure, Dry Needling and Instrument Assisted Release work and certainly with a combination of these treatments combined with other modes. (Ischemic pressure is the pressure used on TrPs to release the tension allowing Blood flow into the TrP.
This then means the affected area can relax and also clears out the Toxin build up that has formed in the area. This in turn creates a re-alignment of the Muscle Tissue, letting the Muscle return to normal function).
Helping you with your pain so you can
live your life to the fullest
