Manual Soft Tissue Treatments Buffalo, NY

Manual Soft Tissue Treatments

The soft-tissues include the muscles, tendons, and ligaments as well as fascia, which work in concert to provide stability as well as motion throughout the body. The proper function of these tissues is necessary for pain-free, healthy living. Unfortunately, traumatic injuries of the past can result in long standing scar tissue, while recent injuries can include traumatic damage to tissue fibers and associated inflammation. There are also repetitive stress and strain injuries which occur with everyday use and over-use.

Manual soft-tissue mobilization/manipulation and Graston Technique are utilized to improve blood flow & lymphatic drainage as well as encourage proper tissue healing and cellular function.

Utilizing skilled passive movements to push, pull, massage, and stretch muscles, ligaments, and fascia is the foundation of manual soft tissue treatment. This technique provides increased blood flow to an injured area that can assist in healing and repair. In addition, it provides the ability to decrease swelling, improve motion, and increase flexibility of tissues. It can be modified to fit a patient's individual needs and preferences, helping greatly to relieve soreness, stiffness, tightness, and pain. Manual soft tissue therapy is a great compliment to a chiropractic adjustment and can be used on just about any soft tissue in the body; making it a uniquely versatile and effective treatment tool.

Trigger Point Therapy

Trigger points are knots in the muscle which cause pain and tightness. The pain is often referred to another part of your body, even though it originates at the trigger point itself. Our doctors often come across trigger points while they are treating. Sometimes they are the primary diagnosis and the main cause of our patient's pain, and other times it is a secondary diagnosis and is occurring along side other conditions. Trigger points often occur along with misalignment, especially in cases of chronic conditions. This is because tension and knots in the muscle can pull on the joints in which they attach to, thus creating misalignment. And vice-versa, if a joint is out of alignment, it is going to cause abnormal pulling on the muscles that attach to that joint and may cause muscle strain, knots, and/or trigger points.

Our doctors utilize many different techniques to treat trigger points. One of these is Trigger Point Therapy. In this technique, the doctor locates the trigger point with their skilled palpation, and then manually compresses the trigger point with their hands to break up the knot. Often times when the trigger point is first palpated, the radiating pain is experienced, and then dissipates as the knot breaks up.

Trigger points are often the cause of radiating pain, but as other diagnoses can contribute, a detailed exam is required before treatment to rule out nerve impingement or other possible causes. Trigger points often contribute to headaches as well. Once the examination confirms the diagnosis of trigger points, your doctor can determine best method to resolve your condition and begin treatment.


Watch Dr. Niccole's Video on Trigger Points

Myofascial Release Technique

This is a soft tissue technique utilized to treat adhesions within the soft tissue. These adhesions are essentially scar tissue that forms from sprains/strains and injured tissues, forming knots/adhesions/scar tissue and/or trigger points.

Adhesions can cause shortening of the soft tissue causing abnormal motion and therefore further injury. They can also cause pain and referral pain to other regions as well. These adhesions in the soft tissue can also affect the surrounding structures such as the bones and joints, leading to misalignment and other possible conditions.

While using Myofascial Release Technique, your doctor localizes the adhesion through skilled palpation. They then contact the adhesion manually with the appropriate part of their hand based upon the body part being treated. While applying the appropriate pressure on the adhesion, the patient's body part is then moved through its range of motion to break up the adhesion.