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What is Soft tissue Therapy?
Soft tissue therapy is a broad approach to treating the muscles and other soft tissues of the body.
Muscle pain, tightness and restricted movement can develop for many different reasons. Exercise, sport, repetitive movements, physical work, prolonged sitting and previous injuries can all contribute to muscular discomfort.
Rather than simply working on the area that hurts, we want to understand what you’re experiencing, how you’re moving and what you’re trying to get back to doing.
That’s why every soft tissue appointment starts with an individual assessment.
From there, your therapist can choose the most appropriate technique – or combination of techniques – for you.
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What Can Soft Tissue Therapy Be Used For?
People visit our Swansea clinic with a wide range of muscular and musculoskeletal problems, including:
- Muscle tightness and stiffness
- Neck and shoulder tension
- Back muscular pain
- Sports injuries
- Muscle strains
- Calf and hamstring tightness
- Hip and gluteal tightness
- Restricted movement
- Post-training soreness
- Repetitive strain problems
- Tendon-related problems
- General muscular aches
- Exercise-related discomfort
- Reduced mobility
- Muscular tension associated with work or activity
You don’t need to be an athlete to benefit from soft tissue therapy.
Whether you want to return to sport, recover from training, improve your movement or simply feel more comfortable during everyday activities, treatment can be tailored to you.
OUR TREATMENTS
Five Soft Tissue Techniques. One Personalised Approach.
We don’t believe every patient should receive exactly the same treatment.
Instead, our therapists have a range of techniques available and can select the ones most appropriate for your individual presentation.
Hands-On Soft Tissue Therapy
Hands-on soft tissue techniques involve your therapist working directly with the muscles and surrounding tissues.
The pressure and techniques used can be adapted to the area being treated, your symptoms and your individual tolerance.
Hands-on treatment may be used to work on areas of muscular tightness, tenderness and restricted movement and can form the foundation of a soft tissue treatment session.
It can also be combined with our other techniques where appropriate.
Cupping Therapy
Cupping therapy uses specially designed cups placed onto the skin to create suction over the underlying soft tissues.
It can be incorporated into treatment for people experiencing muscular tightness, stiffness or restricted movement.
Your therapist may use cupping individually or alongside hands-on treatment, muscle scraping, dry needling or rehabilitation.
Cupping can temporarily leave circular marks or discolouration on the skin. Your therapist will explain what to expect before treatment.
Muscle Scraping / IASTM
Muscle scraping, also known as Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilisation (IASTM), uses specially designed treatment tools which are moved over the skin.
The tools allow your therapist to apply targeted pressure to specific areas of soft tissue.
Muscle scraping can be incorporated into treatment for areas of muscular tightness and restricted movement and is particularly popular with people involved in sport, running, gym training and other physical activities.
It doesn’t have to be used on its own and can be combined with other soft tissue techniques.
Dry Needling
Dry needling involves the use of very fine needles which are inserted into specific areas of muscle.
It is used within a musculoskeletal treatment approach and may be considered for areas of muscular tightness, sensitivity or myofascial trigger points.
Dry needling is different from acupuncture, despite both techniques using fine needles.
Your therapist will assess whether dry needling is appropriate for you and explain the treatment before proceeding.
Dry needling can also be combined with hands-on treatment, muscle scraping, cupping and rehabilitation where appropriate.
Kinesiology Muscle Taping
Kinesiology taping uses flexible therapeutic tape which is applied to specific areas of the body.
You may have seen this type of tape used by athletes and sportspeople, but kinesiology taping can be used for a variety of patients as part of a wider treatment or rehabilitation programme.
One advantage of taping is that it can remain in place after you leave the clinic.
Where appropriate, your therapist may use kinesiology taping following your soft tissue treatment as part of your overall management plan.
PERSONALISED CARE
You Don't Need to Choose Your Treatment
Cupping or scraping? Dry needling or hands-on treatment?
You don’t need to decide.
Your appointment isn’t based around a particular technique – it’s based around you.
Every patient is assessed and your therapist will consider your symptoms, movement, activity levels and goals before deciding on the most appropriate approach.
For one patient, that may simply mean hands-on soft tissue therapy.
For another, it could involve:
Hands-On Therapy + Cupping
Muscle Scraping + Hands-On Therapy
Dry Needling + Soft Tissue Work
Soft Tissue Therapy + Kinesiology Taping
Or a combination of several techniques alongside movement, exercise and rehabilitation advice.
The techniques are simply tools.
The treatment plan is built around the individual.
PERSONALISED CARE
Sports Injury & Recovery
Helping You Get Back to What You Enjoy
Soft tissue therapy can also form part of a wider sports injury and rehabilitation programme.
Whether you’re a runner, rugby player, footballer, cyclist, weightlifter, gym-goer or simply enjoy staying active, muscular problems can interfere with both performance and training.
Our multidisciplinary approach means treatment doesn’t necessarily stop with soft tissue work.
Where appropriate, your care may also incorporate:
- Movement assessment
- Mobility work
- Strengthening exercises
- Functional rehabilitation
- Sports injury rehabilitation
- Biomechanical assessment
- Gait and movement analysis
- Shockwave therapy
- Chiropractic care
The aim is to consider the bigger picture and help you move better, recover and return to the activities you enjoy.
PERSONALISED CARE
What Happens at Your Soft Tissue Appointment?
Your appointment starts with an assessment.
Your therapist will discuss:
- Where you’re experiencing symptoms
- How long the problem has been present
- Activities that aggravate it
- Your work and daily activities
- Exercise and sporting activities
- Previous injuries
- Relevant medical history
- What you want to achieve from treatment
Where appropriate, they may also assess the movement and function of the affected area.
From there, your therapist will decide which treatment or combination of treatments is most appropriate.
You don’t need to book separate appointments for each technique.
Cupping, muscle scraping, hands-on soft tissue work, dry needling and kinesiology taping are all techniques available to your therapist.
Where appropriate, they can be incorporated into your treatment according to your individual needs.
PERSONALISED CARE
Why Choose Swansea Chiropractic Clinic for Soft Tissue Therapy?
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Five Treatment Techniques
Our therapists can use hands-on soft tissue work, cupping, muscle scraping, dry needling and kinesiology taping, giving them multiple options when tailoring your treatment. -
Individually Assessed
Every patient is assessed before treatment so we can understand your symptoms and goals. -
Personalised Treatment
We don't use the same treatment for everyone. Your therapist selects the technique or combination of techniques appropriate for your presentation. -
Treatments Can Be Combined
Our soft tissue techniques can be used individually or combined within the same treatment session when appropriate. -
Multidisciplinary Clinic
Our soft tissue therapists work alongside chiropractors and rehabilitation professionals, allowing us to provide a joined-up approach when your problem requires more than soft tissue treatment alone. -
Sports & Rehabilitation Focus
Treatment can be combined with movement, exercise and rehabilitation to help patients return to sport, training and everyday activity. -
Convenient Swansea Location
Visit our multidisciplinary clinic at Unit 11 Tower Court, St Davids Road, Enterprise Park, Swansea SA6 8RU.
FAQ's
Frequently Asked Questions
What is soft tissue therapy?
Soft tissue therapy is a broad term covering a range of hands-on and other techniques used to work with the muscles and soft tissues of the body.
At Swansea Chiropractic Clinic, this can include hands-on soft tissue work, cupping, muscle scraping, dry needling and kinesiology taping.
Do I need to choose which treatment to book?
No.
Simply book a soft tissue therapy appointment.
Your therapist will assess you and determine which treatment or combination of techniques is most appropriate for your individual needs.
Can different techniques be combined?
Yes. Where appropriate, your therapist can combine different techniques within your treatment.
For example, hands-on soft tissue therapy may be combined with cupping or scraping, while another patient may benefit from dry needling followed by soft tissue work and kinesiology taping.
What is muscle scraping?
Muscle scraping or IASTM uses specially designed treatment tools to apply targeted pressure over areas of soft tissue.
What is cupping therapy?
Cupping involves placing specially designed cups onto the skin to create suction over the underlying soft tissues. It can be used individually or alongside other soft tissue techniques.
Does cupping leave marks?
It can. Cupping may temporarily leave circular marks or skin discolouration. Your therapist will explain this before treatment.
Is dry needling the same as acupuncture?
No. Although both use fine needles, dry needling is used within a musculoskeletal treatment approach and may target areas of muscular tightness or myofascial trigger points.
What is kinesiology taping?
Kinesiology taping uses flexible therapeutic tape applied to areas of the body as part of a wider treatment or rehabilitation programme.
Can soft tissue therapy be used for sports injuries?
Soft tissue therapy can form part of the management and rehabilitation of many sports-related muscular problems.
Our multidisciplinary clinic also provides movement assessment, exercise rehabilitation and other treatment options where appropriate.
Where can I get soft tissue therapy in Swansea?
Swansea Chiropractic Clinic provides soft tissue therapy in Swansea, including hands-on treatment, cupping, muscle scraping, dry needling and kinesiology taping.
Visit us at Unit 11 Tower Court, St David’s Road, Enterprise Park, Swansea SA6 8RU.
Meet The Team
Meet the Team
Your care is provided by our team of registered Doctors of Chiropractic. You can meet the team to learn more about the experienced professionals who will be looking after you.