Various Soft Tissue Manipulation Techniques Along With Chiropractic Care: Part 2

Posted on May 10, 2021March 5, 2023 by

This is a follow up to the post Various Soft Tissue Manipulation Versus Massage Along With Chiropractic Care: part I. As a review, soft tissue manipulation (STM) techniques are defined as those physical methods applied to muscles, ligaments, tendons, fascia, and other connective tissues with the goal of therapeutically affecting the body. Generally, STM enhances proper tone and/or extensibility (ability of a muscle to be stretched) through a number of proposed mechanisms. Read below about the Various Soft Tissue Manipulation Techniques Along With Chiropractic Care: part 2 in our West Palm Beach office.

Functional Techniques

Functional techniques focus on structure and function and this interrelationship in the body. Additionally, they focus on the tendency of the body toward self-regulation. Functional techniques restore normal ease of movement and reduction of abnormal afferent (inward) input (signals) into your nervous system by correcting the problematic muscles. Certainly, this restores joint mobility and muscle tone. Two examples of functional techniques are MRT and PRT described below.

Myofascial Release Technique (MRT)

The goal of myofascial release treatment (MRT) is to establish functional three-dimensional whole-body symmetry and motion by removing fascial (thin casing of connective tissue that surrounds bone, nerve fiber and muscle) restrictions and restoring the body’s equilibrium. Consequently, MRT reduces muscle spasm and fascial restrictions. This eliminates irritation to these pain-sensitive structures and so increases range of motion.

Positional Release Therapy (PRT)

PRTs major characteristics include specific body positioning and the use of tender points (areas of pain). PRT works by the positional release of abnormal neural reflexive activities (a neural reflex is an involuntary response to a stimulus). This is accomplished by placing the involved soft tissues in an “ideal position of comfort“. Irritability of the tender points are reduced as PRT normalizes function. In short, a return to normal length of the muscle is ultimately achieved.

Manual Resistance Techniques

Manual resistance techniques includes those procedures that have varying degrees of contact pressure and joint movement or positioning. In other words, the doctor contacts with varying pressure and positions the patient and/or the joint. MRT also uses varying degrees of muscle contraction from none to strong sustained contractions from the patient. And the corrective process requires active patient participation. This encourages the patient to assume responsibility for self-care. Two examples of manual resistance techniques are MET and PIR.

Muscle Energy Technique (MET)

MET incorporates the use of the patient’s muscular effort in the application of the procedure. The primary effect of MET is to influence joint function. But, there will be effects on the muscles. Similarly, the aim of MET is to restore normal joint position and function while influencing proper posture. And to be effective, the soft tissue restrictive barrier must be found, accurately engaged and manipulated. Moreover, engaging the restrictive barrier is what distinguishes soft tissue manipulation (STM) from massage.

Postisometric Relaxation (PIR)

Postisometric relaxation (PIR) achieves results through neurologic mediation of neural pathways (nervous system pathways). PIR techniques focuses on the muscular system and on inducing muscle lengthening. So it lengthens the muscle by influencing the nervous system. Firstly, PIR refers to the effect of subsequent relaxation experienced by the muscle after brief periods of isometric contraction. Isometric contraction occurs when muscle length remains relatively constant as tension is produced. Secondly, by relaxing the active elements within the muscle, the lengthening procedure may be more effective at stretching the connective tissue elements. Thirdly, this normalizes the function of the contractile and noncontractile elements in the muscle. Lastly, PIR tends to be simplistic and gentle. Above all, you can also carry out many useful types of self-administered PIR as home treatment between your visits.

Soft tissue manipulation techniques along with chiropractic adjustments has many benefits for your health!

Call your West Palm Beach Chiropractor at 561-253-8984 to find out more about Various Soft Tissue Manipulation Techniques Along With Chiropractic Care: Part 2 or to make an appointment.

Various Soft Tissue Manipulation Techniques Along With Chiropractic Care: Part 2 will be followed up with a post (part 3) on BODY WALL REFLEX TECHNIQUES (ischemic compression, acupressure, chapmans reflex points).

References:

Bergman, Thomas. Peterson, Lawrence. Chiropractic Technique Principles and Procedures

Third Edition

Hammer, Warren. Functional Soft Tissue Examination and Treatment by Manual Methods.

Third Edition

Meiri Chiropractic

561-253-8984

Nov

Do you have pain and burning over the outer border of the distal (closest to foot) calf and dorsum (top) of the foot and ankle? Perhaps you also have numbness and paresthesia (pins and needles)? These are all symptoms of superficial peroneal nerve entrapment and neuropathy. If you are exercising, you may experience a […]

Nov

From Dr. Natalie Meiri’s Clinical Pearl Stories: Chiropractic West Palm Beach: Adjustments While Trying to Conceive This is my clinical pearl story about Chiropractic West Palm Beach: Adjustments While Trying to Conceive. I helped this patient with more than her back pain. Her chief complaints were neck and back pain. She was a 37 […]

Nov

This post is about West Palm Beach Chiropractor: Abdominal Muscle and Fascial Injury. Symptoms of abdominal muscle and fascial injury include being painfully flexed over (bent forward). And you can’t seem to straighten up due to the injury. Additionally, pain on bending to the opposite side of the injury is common. Read on to learn […]

Nov

Your ability to function, maintain mobility and independence is an important goal as you age. This not only affects your quality of life, it also affects your life span. Indeed, exercise is beneficial in numerous ways. Individuals who exercise regularly have a better chance at preventing or slowing the effects of many chronic diseases […]

Nov

From Dr. Natalie Meiri’s Clinical Pearl Stories: Chiropractor West Palm Beach: Injuries in a Martial Arts “Team” This was a husband and wife team/couple who entered martial arts competitions together. They were 40 and 32 years old respectively. Between the two of them, they had won many medals, but also had many martial arts […]

Oct

From Dr. Natalie Meiri’s Clinical Pearl Stories: Chiropractor West Palm Beach: Restless Leg Syndrome Author: Natalie Meiri, D.C. Posted: 10/27/24 This is my clinical pearl story about Chiropractor West Palm Beach: Restless Leg Syndrome. I helped this patient with more than his neck and back pain. His chief complaints were neck and back pain, […]

Oct

From Dr. Natalie Meiri’s Clinical Pearl Stories: Chiropractor West Palm Beach: Chronic Neck Pain After an Auto Accident Author: Natalie Meiri, D.C. Posted: 10/21/24 This was a 40 year old male patient with a chief complaint of chronic neck pain. To be HIPAA compliant, I will call him Han instead of his real name. […]

Oct

From Dr. Natalie Meiri’s Clinical Pearl Stories: Chiropractic West Palm Beach: Back Pain From Illiopsoas Syndrome This is my clinical pearl story about Chiropractic West Palm Beach: Back Pain From Illiopsoas Syndrome. The patient was a 50 year old female patient. Her chief complaint was low back pain. To be HIPAA compliant, I […]