4 Benefits of Soft Tissue Release

The soft tissues of your body are made up of muscles, tendons, and ligaments, all of which can become overused and strained through injury or simple overuse. Luckily, there are many treatment methods available for these soft tissues that can bring you relief from pain, discomfort, and swelling. In this article, we’ll explain the benefits of soft tissue release and how it can help your body heal.

1) Reduces muscle tension and pain

When your muscles cannot relax and remain in a state of contraction, it can lead to muscle tightness, pain, discomfort, and a limited range of motion. Through soft tissue release, you can help your muscles relax so that you can feel your best.

Muscle tension can be caused by the physiological effects of stress in addition to other potential causes. For example, when you are stressed, your body’s nervous system changes by reducing blood flow to the soft tissues via constricting blood vessels. There is an oxygen reduction, leaving you with pain, tension, or spasms.

When you are no longer in pain, you will have more energy and strength to work with other practitioners to prevent the reoccurrence of injury or pain in the future. In soft tissue release, pressure may be applied to sensitive areas of the body such as muscles and ligaments which are holding too much tension for too long without relief. With pressure applied in these areas over time, muscle relaxation can occur.

2) Increases range of motion and flexibility

When your range of motion or flexibility is limited, it can be uncomfortable, frustrating, painful, and get in the way of your daily tasks. With soft tissue release, you can increase both your range of motion and flexibility to help you live your best possible life.

Your practitioner will also be able to help teach you a range of motion exercises and direct you on how to incorporate them into your life. There are three different types of range of motion exercises, which are passive, active, and active assistive. Passive is when someone else does the movement for you, like when your massage therapist moves your arm for you. Active and active-assistive are when you do the movement yourself but use assistance from another person.

3) Improves function and circulation

Good blood circulation is an important factor that contributes to your health. Soft tissue release can help you benefit from increased blood flow, which allows your organs and body to work efficiently and correctly.

Blood flow is a necessary part of the healing process. Soft tissue therapy can help improve circulation to the areas of your body that are affected.

Increasing blood flow to the area of injury can help improve and speed up the healing process, as well as restore the area to good function. Improvements in circulation can also reduce pain caused by muscle tension and tightness by helping bring fresh oxygenated blood to these places. Softer, more pliable muscles will feel less stiff or sore when treated with soft tissue release or massage, and you'll be feeling and functioning better afterwards!

4) Promotes better posture

Soft tissue release is a great way to promote better posture. When certain muscles and tissues are tight or contracted, it can create issues with your flexibility, strength and ability to have good posture throughout your day. By working with soft tissues such as muscles and fascia, practitioners are able to bring relief to areas that may have been holding your body in an unhealthy position for too long.

If you're looking for all the benefits from soft tissue release, contact us to book an appointment with one of our practitioners!

The more you take care of yourself, the better you are for everyone around you!