How Massage Therapy Can Help Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injury is an umbrella term for injuries affecting muscles, tendons and/or ligaments primarily. Injuries to these structures represent the majority of musculoskeletal injuries. Ignoring the swelling and pain associated with these injuries can lead to more serious problems. Massage therapy is a treatment that can help relieve the pain of soft tissue injuries and aid in faster recovery times. Often these injuries can benefit from a combination of chiropractic adjustment treatment along with massage therapy.
Common Soft Tissue Injuries
There are five common injuries that affect ligaments, tendons, and muscles. These soft tissue injuries include:
Bursitis: Commonly recognized as swelling around joints. Caused by overusing that particular joint area. Untreated this can cause immobility of the joint it’s affecting.
Contusions: A bruise, which is caused by damage to the tissue below the skin.
Sprains: This happens when ligaments are overstretched. There are three degrees of strains: First, second and third degrees (also known as “grades”).
Strain: This is like a sprain, even in the classification of degrees. It affects the muscles and tendons. Ignoring sprains and strains can lead to more pain.
Tendinitis: Overuse of the tendons that causes pain and swelling. Left untreated, surgery may be in the future
Treatments for Soft Tissue Injuries
Non-invasive conservative procedures utilized in chiropractic and massage therapy are the ideal choice for treating soft tissue injuries. Massage therapy and a visit to the chiropractor are important steps in faster healing. Soft tissue massage is the best option for targeting injuries in the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The depths the massage therapist goes will depend on the type of injury and treatment plan decided upon. Depths and pressure can vary. Massage helps relax the muscles, which aids in pain relief. It increases circulation, which works to decrease swelling. Massage therapy is used to relieve muscle tension. This relief helps with the prevention of soft tissue pain. It also increases flexibility while promoting faster healing of soft tissue injuries and other injuries.
Injuries like sprains, strains, and tendinitis could be accompanied by restrictions in the spine, which can be corrected with a combination of massage therapy and a chiropractic adjustment.
Research has shown,according to Ambardekar, N,MD(24.04 2021) R.I.C.E. is a common treatment for soft tissue pain and swelling. This means resting the injured area, icing it at twenty-minute intervals a few times a day, using compression to prevent more swelling, and elevating to help reduce swelling.
Massage therapy, in combination with other conservative treatments, is one the first lines of defense when healing from soft tissue injuries. For more information and to book an appointment contact us on 07398825441
References
What Is the RICE Method for Injuries? Ambardekar, N,MD(24.04 2021) cited in
https://www.webmd.com/first-aid/rice-method-injuries accessed(03.11.2021)
Deep Tissue Massage Benefits Sissons, B (24.11. 2020) cited in https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/deep-tissue-massage-benefitsaccessed (03.11.2021)
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