Soft Tissue Therapy
in Bristol
Remedial massage for people in Bristol with musculoskeletal injury, pain & dysfunction
What is Soft Tissue
Therapy?
Soft tissue therapy (STT) is ideal for aiding general recovery and pain relief for muscles and tendons. It’s also preferred by those who respond better to broader, less intensive massage techniques as opposed to focused, deep tissue applications. STT can therefore be equally as effective at reducing localised pain in people with low pain thresholds as well as helping to manage systemic conditions, like fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue, which may be prone to flare-ups following deep tissue massage.
Pain levels are reduced by improving blood flow and restoring normal function and biomechanics to the affected. Treatment involves taking a close look at posture and assessing movement patterns in order to identify the source of the issue which isn’t necessarily the site of pain. Massage techniques are applied such that hyper-sensitised (low pain threshold) tissue adapts, over time, to relax into the pressure rather than tensing against it making the treatment more effective.
Techniques used in Soft Tissue Therapy
Once identified, the target area can be treated with a variety Soft Tissue Therapy techniques in order to ease pain and help your muscles get back to full health. In addition to a wide range of massage techniques, STT incorporates several specialised techniques which target specific tissues in the body, including:
- Active & Passive soft tissue release
- Joint mobilisation & manipulation
- Muscle stretching (MET, PNFS)
- Myofascial release
- Lymphatic Drainage
Treatment Aftercare
Rehabilitation exercises and general aftercare advice also forms part of the treatment plan and may include:
- Stretching tight muscles
- Strengthening or activating weak / inactive muscles
- Re-training groups of muscles to fire in the correct sequence
- Improving proprioception and balance
Importantly, all aftercare advice will be adapted to individual unique requirements, taking into consideration your physical abilities and energy levels.
Almost all exercises have graded alternatives and I’ll tailor the appropriate exercise to suit you.
Frequently asked questions
What should I wear?
Please, bring a pair of shorts and, for women, a sports bar or something similar. Sessions will often include going through rehab exercises, and also postural and movement assessments, so it’s important that you feel comfortably dressed while also allowing the therapist to observe the structure and movement of the joints. It’s perfectly OK if you prefer to remain fully clothed during the assessments. If you have any concerns, please, consult with Aaron during the booking process.
Can Soft Tissue Therapy help with systemic issues (Fibromyalgia, M.E, IBD)?
Many people living with systemic issues and existing medical conditions find that regular Soft Tissue Therapy (STT) helps them to manage their day-to-day lives and cyclical flare-ups. STT isn’t a cure for medical conditions such as Fibromyalgia (FM) or partial paralysis following a stroke, but it can help to alleviate secondary issues that arise from how the primary symptoms affect a persons mobility, sleep cycle, stress levels and pain tolerance.
While many people managing such conditions benefit from STT, unfortunately there are no guarantees. It’s a case of finding what works for you. Particularly for conditions that involve cyclical flare-ups (FM, M.E, IBS) it’s advised that you first test how you respond to treatment when outside of a major flare-up.
I have a low pain tolerance and find deep tissue massage to be very painful. Can STT help me to recover from an acute / chronic injury?
Muscle contracts (tightens) in response to pain and a chronically tense muscle can trigger pain of its own causing even more tension, thus creating a “Pain Cycle”. Normally, deep tissue massage is very effective at easing chronic muscle tightness and improving joint mobility however, when applied to people with low pain tolerances, deep tissue massage can trigger the muscle to immediately tense up thus feeding into the Pain Cycle.
STT is a great alternative to Remedial & Sports Massage when dealing with musculoskeletal pain. While the majority of the techniques and methods remain the same, STT has a softer approach which benefits people with lower pain thresholds. The lower intensity applied during STT may take slightly longer to take affect on the muscle and soft tissue but slow and steady is significantly more effective at breaking the Pain Cycle. As pain decreases and the muscle relaxes, it will gradually become conditioned to remain relaxed during deeper massage without triggering a painful response.