Soft-Tissue Techniques

What's it about?

Soft-tissue techniques — soft-tissue techniques in physiotherapy affect the soft tissues (skin, subcutaneous tissue, muscles, fasciae and muscle attachments). We can influence them with mechanical pressure. However, this is not a massage.

It is a therapeutic rehabilitation method that we apply to release soft tissues of the skin, subcutaneous tissue, fasciae and muscles. Soft-tissue techniques are performed wherever their mobility is impaired and tension is increased. Mechanical pressure improves blood flow and relaxation. Soft-tissue techniques are also used during recovery for scars from post-operative conditions. They speed up healing and prevent the scar from adhering to the surrounding tissue.

Soft-tissue techniques can be applied to all stiff areas of the body, most commonly:

• cervical spine and inter-scapular area
• joints, upper and lower limbs
• stiff muscles, most often neck muscles
• shortened scapular muscles
• back muscles
• post-operative scars
• areas where increased tension occurs due to stress or trauma

Since soft-tissue techniques don't require any massage medium, they differ from classic massage but are just as effective. When applied for the first time, soft-tissue techniques can be uncomfortable — but this is entirely compensated by the feeling of relief afterwards.

Soft-tissue techniques affect the body's tissues, releasing tension between the individual layers and thereby improving their elastic properties. These soft-tissue techniques are performed by hand by a trained physiotherapist.

The physiotherapist performs this method with their hands, aiming to relax and improve blood flow to the problem area.

The effect of soft-tissue techniques is noticeable immediately after the procedure and shows as a warming effect and a feeling of release.

Soft-tissue techniques are suitable for problems with the lower back, frequent problems with the gluteal muscle, for patients in an acute state, but also for athletes during active recovery. They are suitable for anyone experiencing pain, muscle tension and stress.