Soft Tissue Therapy in Chesterfield
Many chiropractors are proficient in not only treating the joints of the body, but the muscles as well. Soft tissue therapy, or soft tissue mobilization, involves treating the muscles, fascia, and tendons of the body with various hands on approaches. Commonly, the patient is required to move certain body parts while they are being treated which differentiates it from standard massage therapy. By combining soft tissue therapy with joint manipulation, Elite Chiropractic and Performance can get you pain free and back to your activities in as short of a time as possible.
Functional and Kinetic Treatment with Rehab (FAKTR)
FAKTR is a comprehensive approach to treatment and is better defined as a concept rather than a technique. It involves treating the soft tissues of the body with various approaches and hands on techniques. Typically, treatment with FAKTR involves incorporating movement and rehab at the same time as treatment. For example, the doctor can address the rotator cuff of the shoulder using an instrument while the patient performs their theraband exercises. Typically, FAKTR involves using state of the art steel instruments on the muscles but any technique can be incorporated. Dr. Collier is a certified FAKTR provider and has extensive knowledge and expertise on how to apply the right tools and approach to the right patient.
Myofascial Release
Myofascial release is a form of soft tissue therapy that is utilized by many practitioners and has been modified in numerous ways. It can involve "pinning" certain muscles down while a certain body part is moved. In can also involve deep pressure and "stripping" of the soft tissue. Myofascial release can done alone using tools such as foam rollers, lacrosse balls, massage sticks, etc.
Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM)
Cupping Therapy
After the 2016 Olympics where Michael Phelps had circular welts all over his back, cupping has seemed to explode in popularity as a new treatment modality. Actually, cupping is an ancient Chinese technique that has been around for ages. The proposed method is that it creates a vacuum on the skin which can help with blood flow and inflammation. In addition, it can be combined with other manual therapy approaches such as IASTM to further help the extensibility of the soft tissues within the body.
PNF/PIR Stretching, Active Isolated Stretching, Positional Release Stretching
Techniques such as proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF), reciprocal release, and post isometric relaxation (PIR) utilize contracting and relaxing specific muscles to facilitate desired responses. Also called muscle energy techniques, neurological stretching is the method of choice when a muscle is not structurally "short" but rather overly stimulated via the nervous system. The goal is to impact sensory components called golgi tendon organs in order address pain, flexibility, and function. The various forms of neurological stretching can be done by a partner or individually.