Soft Tissue Release in Physiotherapy

Trigger point release is one of the more common techniques used by hands on therapists, whether that be massage therapists, physiotherapists or osteopaths. More than likely you've heard of, seen someone, or experienced it yourself, a tight trigger point or an area of increased muscle tension that just won't seem to relax. A trigger point release is essentially a period of sustained pressure put onto this trigger point with the aim of allowing the muscle to relax. I find this can commonly work quite well through the legs and the gluteals as well as the rotator cuff and shoulder region.

PNF stretches can also commonly be referred to as contract-relax techniques. Whilst not all that commonly utilised as part of physiotherapy treatments it can provide quick fast wins in terms of range of movement to free up a joint. The most common area I find it works very well on is the hip flexors and quadriceps. Using short periods of contraction of the muscle followed by a relaxation and stretch applied to the muscle, usually a 5 second contraction and then a 5 second relaxation period a client can gain significant range of movement with just a few repetitions.

Dry needling is one of the very trendy techniques in physio over the last decade or so. It involves inserting a small single use needle into the skin and then guiding it into the muscle with the aim of stimulating an involuntary contraction to release the tension within the muscle. My theory of how dry needling provides its benefits is that there is a short term nervous system adaptation to the needle and stimulus it provides that reduces muscle tension, from a longer term perspective there is a small localised inflammatory response to the area that kickstarts a "healing" process of sorts. 

Massage is arguably the bread and butter of most physiotherapists. it comes in many different forms and techniques and in my opinion it is more of an art than it is a science. Utilising manual pressure and manipulation of the soft tissue allows for me to "work" the muscles and reduce the muscle tension. Debate continues as to whether we are truly "changing" anything about the muscle, and I would contend that I don't believe I can put enough pressure to structurally change anything or lengthen a muscle, but there can be significant changes in muscle tone that can assist in improving freedom of movement and reducing pain through movement.