Soft tissue therapy is a broad term that encompasses many different styles and techniques all that target the soft tissues of the body. These soft tissues may include muscles, tendons, ligaments, and fascia. The goal and benefits of soft tissue therapy are to: increase range of motion, decrease muscle tension, promote tissue healing, decrease pain, increase local blood flow, increase rehab and recovery time, and increase proprioception.
At Evolve, the primary technique used to achieve all of the above is IASTM (Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization). IASTM utilizes stainless steel bars that have a beveled edge on one side that is meant to “scrape” across the involved region of the body.
Even though IASTM is the favored technique here, there are a handful of other techniques used such as:
MRT (Myofascial Release Technique): A hands-on technique that focuses on muscle and fascial tissue via direct pressure on the involved tissues.
Cupping: An ancient technique originating from Chinese, Egyptian, and Middle Eastern medicine which utilizes cups in order to provide targeted suction to an area of muscle to increase blood flow to that specific area.
PNF (Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation): Focuses specifically on improving range of motion by alternating stretching and a contraction of a targeted muscle.
Tissue Flossing: Involves the use of an elastic band to apply circumferential pressure to/around a targeted region (muscle or joint) in order to restrict blood flow for a short period of time.
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