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

Apr

From Dr. Natalie Meiri’s Clinical Pearl Stories: Computer and Video Game Injuries in Kids: Chiropractic Care is Effective This is my clinical pearl story about Computer and Video Game Injuries in Kids: Chiropractic Care is Effective. Arnold was a 10 year old child who liked playing video games and spent many hours on […]

Apr

Do you have pain, weakness, and paresthesia (tingling, numbness or “pins and needles”) in your arm/forearm (below the elbow)? You may have dull, sore achiness in the extensor muscles (muscles that extend wrist/hand) below your elbow. The pain may be more prominent at night and after use. These are all symptoms of Radial Neuropathy/Entrapment […]

Apr

From Dr. Natalie Meiri’s Clinical Pearl Stories: Chiropractic Care for Cervical Radiculopathy This was a 68 year old patient who had neck and left hand numbness and pain. To be HIPAA compliant, I will call him Wallace instead of his real name. Wallace had treated with another chiropractor prior to seeing me. He had […]

Mar

Do you have Paresthesia (tingling, numbness or “pins and needles”) in your shoulder or arm (above the elbow)? Also, do you have weakness in your arm? You may have limitation of motion of your triceps muscle? These are all symptoms of Radial Neuropathy/Entrapment above the elbow. Read on to learn about Shoulder and Arm […]

Mar

Do you have pain and tenderness around your patellar tendon or lower part of the patella (kneecap)? It may be described as a burning pain in the knee with use or after prolonged sitting with the knee flexed. Perhaps jumping, running or walking may be difficult due to the pain? Additionally, you may have […]

Mar

Do you have persistent pain, burning, aching, or numbness in the back side of your leg, ankle, or foot? These are all symptoms of Sural Neuropathy. Read on to learn about Ankle and Foot Pain Due to Sural Neuropathy: Chiropractic Can Help. Anatomy of the Sural Nerve The […]

Mar

If you have knee pain from Pes Anserinus Bursitis, Chiropractic can provide relief! This post is about Knee Bursitis and Chiropractic Treatment: Pes Anserinus Bursitis. What is bursitis? Bursae are fluid-filled, sac like cavities. Bursae are located where muscles and tendons move over bony joint areas. They reduce friction caused by muscles and […]

Mar

If you have knee pain from a bakers cyst, Chiropractic can provide relief! This post is about Knee Bursitis and Chiropractic Treatment: Baker’s Cyst. What is bursitis? Bursae are fluid-filled, sac like cavities. Bursae are located where muscles and tendons move over bony joint areas. They reduce friction caused by muscles and […]