Soft Tissue Mobilization Therapy

Physical therapists will perform soft tissue mobilization using manual techniques to break up adhesions on your muscles, fascia, and ligaments.

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Ivy Rehab / Therapy Services / Physical Therapy / Soft Tissue Mobilization

How soft tissue mobilization works

Soft tissue injuries mobilization is a hands-on therapy technique used to treat pain, tightness, and restrictions in your muscles, tendons, ligaments, and fascia.

These issues can result from: 

  • Muscle overuse or strain
  • Sprains and sudden trauma
  • Poor posture or movement habits
  • Post-surgical scarring
  • Repetitive stress injuries

When soft tissues become inflamed or restricted, you may experience pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion. Our therapists use manual techniques — and sometimes specialized tools — to break up adhesions (scar tissue), increase circulation, and help your body heal more effectively.

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Soft issue mobilization techniques

Physical therapists will perform soft tissue mobilization using manual techniques to break up adhesions on your muscles, fascia, and ligaments. Adhesions can also be thought of like scar tissue that forms as your body heals itself after an injury to soft tissue.

A soft tissue injury comes in many forms, including:

  • Tendonitis
  • Sprains
  • Strains
  • Stress injuries
  • Bursitis
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Fibromyalgia
  • IT Band Syndrome
  • Tennis Elbow
  • Running injuries
  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Post-surgical scarring

Soft tissue mobilization can help to:

  • Relieve muscle tension
  • Break down adhesions such as scar tissue
  • Decrease pain
  • Decrease swelling
  • Improve range of motion
  • Lengthen muscles and tendons
  • Strengthen the immune system
  • Improve oxygen flow
  • Increase endorphins

Techniques that involve soft tissue mobilization include:

ASTYM®

  • ASTYM® treatment is a physical therapy treatment that regenerates healthy soft tissues (muscles, tendons, etc.), and eliminates or reduces unwanted scar tissue that may be causing pain or movement restrictions.

IASTM

  • IASTM stands for “Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization” such as the Graston Technique, or HawkGrips
  • Graston Technique incorporates a patented form of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization that enables clinicians to effectively detect and treat scar tissue and restrictions that affect normal function.

Request your appointment today at an Ivy Rehab Network location near you to learn more about soft tissue mobilization.

FAQs

How many sessions will I need?

It depends on your condition, injury history, and goals. Some patients feel relief in just a few sessions, while others benefit from ongoing care as part of a larger rehabilitation plan.

Is soft tissue mobilization painful?

You may feel some discomfort or pressure during treatment, especially in areas with tight or scarred tissue. However, therapy should never be overly painful, and your therapist will adjust based on your comfort level.

What is the difference between soft tissue mobilization and massage therapy?

Soft tissue mobilization is a clinical technique used by licensed physical therapists to treat specific injuries, muscle tightness, or movement restrictions. Massage therapy, while beneficial, is generally focused on relaxation and is not targeted in the same way.

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Excellent4.8★★★★★ review us on ★★★★★ This establishment is wonderful in so many ways. It’s like a family without the drama. The staff is funny and light and serious. When they have to be. Everyone pitches in whenever and wherever they are needed. You can see the team gets along. They respect each other and the patients. If someone needs extra attention they are there for them. My thanks to Nicole, Noah, Adrian, Ryan,Kevin. and the rest of the team. Anthony PisanoResponse from the ownerThank you so much for sharing your thoughts, we appreciate you! – The team at Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy, New Hyde Park ★★★★★ My 6 year old son just graduated after a year of speech therapy! I had him evaluated because he just wasn’t making sounds correctly, to find out he basically didn’t know how to move his mouth to make different sounds. The love, care, and knowledge of the staff is amazing. The front desk staff is friendly and extremely helpful and the support staff truly have a gift for helping children!Response from the ownerYour kind words brighten our day – thank you for sharing! – The team at Ivy Rehab for Kids – North Wales ★★★★★ I graduated from physical therapy today! This year has been A YEAR but i feel better than i have in years. Walking better than i have in years. Matt and olivia had a major role in that! I had a total of 8 months of physical therapy this year. If you ever need any physical therapy needs i highly highly recommend Ivy Rehab on telegraph in monroe! They make you feel like family!Response from the ownerWe’re thrilled you had such a positive experience, thank you! – The team at Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy – Monroe MI ★★★★★ Caroline has made me so much stronger and given me my confidence back! I’m excited about the warmer weather coming to get out and move! She is helping me not have to have spine surgery! Highly recommend!Response from the ownerHearing this feedback means so much to us – thank you for sharing! – The team at Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy – Cary ★★★★★ I really love this place it’s so amazing!!!! All the staff is amazing they made me feel like family!!! I would recommend this place to everyone for therapy thanks a lot for all you guys have done for me!!!! Overall amazing!!!! Best staff for Ivy Rehab Clinic Director Katherine, And her team Patrick,Josh,Christian,and last but not least Grace!!! You guys are Awesome!!!!Response from the ownerThat’s wonderful to hear – thank you so much for sharing your feedback with us! – The team at Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy – Norfolk – Granby ★★★★★ Friendly, knowledgeable, caring and professional. I have been to Ivy Rehab a few times over the past few years and have been extremely happy with the care I received. I would highly recommend them to anyone with a need for physical therapy.Response from the ownerWe value your feedback, thank you for your kind words! – The team at Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy, King of Prussia ★★★★★ Absolutely amazing staff! Friendly, knowledgeable and incredibly helpful. They don’t just walk you through the exercises/routines but help you to understand the why and how it can help the healing process. Glad I was given their name! ★★★★★ My son has been working with speech therapist, Ms. Angelica, for about 2 months and wow. What a change we have seen in him in such a short amount of time. She is kind, patient, and genuinely cares for your child. We love her and are so grateful!Response from the ownerThank you for sharing this with us! – The team at Ivy Rehab for Kids, Virginia Beach! ★★★★★ I really like the IvyRehab Hoboken because it’s closer to my house. The staffs are very friendly and Skyla King is very kind and friendly physical therapist to stretch my shoulders, lightly exercised and restored my range of motion due to my calcific tendonitis on my left shoulder. It was a referral from my doctor. I highly recommend and definitely come back soon in the future.Response from the ownerThank you for your kind words; we appreciate your feedback! – The team at Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy, Hoboken – Midtown ★★★★★ I came in with a painful arthritic knee, and after 2 months, feel so much better, and am stronger and more flexible than before. Many thanks to Matt and Dan for their super care, and to the whole team for cheering me on. It is a fun and friendly facility!Response from the ownerThank you so much for your positive feedback, it means the world to us! – The team at Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy, Blue Bell – South ★★★★★ We have had great experience here for our son’s therapy. He broke his elbow and we were concerned about proper healing and growth due to his age. The therapists at Ivy were great with explaining everything to our son and helping him in his recovery. They keep our 12 year old entertained through therapy somehow and he has enjoyed his treatments. The clinic is very welcoming and they work hard to make PT fun for this pediatric patient! They also addressed all our concerns with therapy, billing and at home routine as well and were always available for questions.Response from the ownerThank you for sharing this with us! – The team at Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy, Naperville ★★★★★ Ivy health is the best place to go for physical therapy. The place is clean and airy with windows all around. The therapists, Jennifer, Katie, Laine and all assistants, Joy and others are all exceptional in their knowledge. It’s a place where your well-being is important to everyone there.Response from the ownerIt’s great to hear this feedback! Thank you for taking the time to share your review! – The team at Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy, New Hyde Park ★★★★★ I am almost half way….so far its been great….my knees have already improved quite a bit. staff has been very good they all work together. I would highly recommend them…let u know how it goes when I finish.Response from the ownerThank you for taking the time to share this review, it means so much! – The team at Ivy Rehab, Barnegat! ★★★★★ My daughter started going to Leaps and Bounds for feeding therapy at 10 months old. I was amazed at the progress that she made, and I was very impressed by how Jenny engaged with my daughter. Within 8 weeks, my daughter went from refusing to eat anything (purees, solids, etc.) to trying almost anything and actually swallowing it. I am forever grateful for what they did! She just started speech therapy with Kathleen. The office staff and therapy professionals are truly wonderful people! ★★★★★ I cannot say enough great things about the team at Ivy in Naperville. The therapists are extremely attentive, helpful, knowledgeable and accommodating when it came to my daughter’s needs. They were able to help my daughter with her constant headaches and dizziness due to head trauma. Thank you so much for all the help.Response from the ownerWe value your feedback, thank you for your kind words! – The team at Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy – Naperville ★★★★★ Amazing place. They are very knowledgeable and professional. It’s the only place to go if you need physical therapy. Atmosphere is warm and friendly. Extremely clean and modern.Response from the ownerThank you for your kind words; we appreciate your feedback! – The team at Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy – Island Park ★★★★★ The team at this Progressive PT location treated me with care and thorough knowledge of what I needed after knee replacement surgery. My primary therapist, Christine, is the best letting me push towards recovery. Peter checked my performance each day carefully and with good humor. Tha ks to everyone.Response from the ownerThank you for taking the time to share your experience, it means so much! – The team at Progress Physical Therapy, Philadelphia! ★★★★★ The PT team at ABC (specifically Sarah, Alyssa, and Kari) was excellent! They helped our newborn work through torticollis. Their approach was thorough, they coached us how to do exercises at home, and ultimately were able to correct the issue. We were very happy with their communication and honest assessments and they would be our first call if other issues come up in the future.Response from the ownerIt’s always wonderful to hear such kind feedback , we appreciate you! – The team at ABC Pediatric Therapy – Cincinnati – Red Bank Road ★★★★★ They are truly the best! You always get a warm welcome and are treated with the up most care. Very professional and the atmosphere is very inviting also cleanliness is also 5 star. I had the pleasure to work with Laura DiGioia PT, & Director of Rehabilitation. Everyone there is top notch but to me Laura is the BEST! she’s very professional & truly is great at was she does. Laura can balance many patience at the same time while giving them all the attention they need. This is my second time at Ivy of Willingboro rehabilitating my left hip from Labrum surgery. In the future If I ever need Physical Therapy of course I will always go back to them. Thank you again Laura and team @ Ivy Rehab for getting me back to having normalcy in my life. ★★★★★ Incredible staff @ Southeastern! The amount of improvement my child has made has been astounding. We’ve tried other therapy programs for my child with autism but this is by far the best. ★★★★★ I would highly recommend Ivy Rehab for any Physical Therapy needs. Chris is so friendly and knowledgeable. He asks the right questions and really gets down to the core of what’s going on. He was able to come up with a treatment plan that was really tailored to what I needed and not just generic exercises based on a diagnosis. I truly felt cared for and he helped me tremendously. I would recommend Chris at Ivy Rehab in Caledonia to all of my closest family and friends and to anyone who wants to see results.Response from the ownerThat’s wonderful to hear – thank you so much for sharing your feedback with us! – The team at Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy, Caledonia js_loader
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