Soft tissue is VERY IMPORTANT! It is comprised of your muscles, ligaments, tendons, fibrous tissue, fascia, nerves and blood vessels. Over time soft tissue can become restricted and contribute to the pain, limitations of movement, and reduced overall function that you are experiencing.

Far too often I see my patients become totally consumed by the fact that they have “a pinched nerve” or “a slipped disc” or “degeneration in their joints”.

I am not denying that some pain and function limitations may be arise from these diagnoses, however soft tissue limitations and restrictions CANNOT be overlooked! The fascial system is very complex!

For an example:
Say you are diagnosed by an orthopaedic as cervical (neck region) slipped disc. You are experiencing arm and shoulder pain and constant numbness at your fingers. Well, when you have this type of injury, typically your musculature and the soft tissue around the area will tighten. This itself can contribute to pain, numbness or tingling and limited movement. Therefore, in addition to addressing the “slipped disc” you must also address the “soft tissue restrictions” in order to feel better.

This is where MANUAL THERAPY comes in!!!

Manual therapy is the application of an accurately determined and specifically directed manual force to the body, in order to improve mobility in areas that are restricted; in joints and soft tissues. It includes soft tissue manipulation (deep tissue massage, myofascial release, dry needling, nerve manipulation) , joint mobilization, specific guided exercise, assisted movement for muscles re-education, and taping.