Adhesions are bands of scar tissue that can form between tissues and organs, causing pain, restricted movement, and potential complications. Physical therapy offers specialized techniques to address these challenging soft tissue restrictions, helping patients regain function and improve their quality of life.
Understanding Adhesions in Physical Therapy
Adhesions develop as a natural part of the body’s healing process, typically forming after injuries, surgeries, or inflammatory conditions. These fibrous bands can connect tissues that are not normally connected, leading to stiffness, reduced range of motion, and chronic discomfort.
Who Can Benefit from Adhesion Treatment
Patients who may benefit from physical therapy for adhesion treatment include:
- Post-surgical recovery patients
- Individuals with chronic musculoskeletal injuries
- Those experiencing limited joint mobility
- Patients with soft tissue trauma
- Individuals with persistent pain in specific body regions
Physical Therapy Methods for Breaking Up Adhesions
1. Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM)
Physical therapists use specialized stainless steel tools to:
- Locate deep tissue restrictions
- Apply precise, targeted stimulation
- Break down scar tissue with minimal hand strain
2. Manual Therapy Techniques
This approach includes:
- Myofascial release
- Soft tissue mobilization
- Joint manipulation
- Massage-like movements to relieve tension points
3. Therapeutic Stretching
Carefully controlled stretching helps:
- Restore natural tissue alignment
- Increase blood flow
- Promote healing
- Improve flexibility
4. Ultrasound Therapy
High-frequency sound waves:
- Create gentle heat
- Stimulate deep tissue
- Restore circulation
- Support natural healing processes
5. Targeted Therapeutic Exercise
Customized exercises designed to:
- Restore healthy movement
- Increase range of motion
- Promote blood circulation
- Support tissue remodeling
Treatment Process at Bearden Medical Clinic
Initial Assessment
Our approach begins with a comprehensive evaluation:
- Detailed patient history
- Physical examination
- Understanding specific tissue restrictions
- Developing a personalized treatment plan
Personalized Treatment Strategy
Each patient receives a multi-phase treatment approach:
- Initial assessment
- Targeted intervention techniques
- Progressive mobility exercises
- Ongoing evaluation and adjustment
Benefits and Outcomes
Patients can expect several potential benefits:
- Reduced pain
- Improved range of motion
- Decreased tissue stiffness
- Enhanced healing process
- Reduced dependency on pain medications
- Restored functional movement
Safety and Considerations
Important Precautions
- Treatment must be performed by trained professionals
- Timing of interventions is crucial
- Individual healing responses vary
- Some techniques require careful, graduated application
Breaking up adhesions through physical therapy offers a targeted, non-invasive approach to restoring tissue health and mobility. By understanding individual patient needs and applying specialized techniques, physical therapists can significantly improve recovery and long-term outcomes.
Main Keyword
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Reference Links
- https://www.kcrehabpt.com/post/6-physical-therapy-methods-that-can-be-effective-for-breaking-up-scar-tissue
- https://excelsportspt.com/three-benefits-of-breaking-up-scar-tissue-with-physical-therapy/
Note: Always consult with a healthcare professional to determine the most appropriate treatment for your specific condition.
FAQ
How to break up muscle adhesions?
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Riverside Sports Therapyhttps://www.riversidesportstherapy.comBreaking Up Fascial Adhesions at Home: Your Complete GuideMar 13, 2025 — Select dense rubber or massage-specific tennis balls. Choose tools with varied surface textures. Ensure tools are clean and sanitized before use. Te…
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YouTube · AskDoctorJohttps://www.youtube.comHow to Release Shoulder & Neck Adhesions – Ask Doctor JoApr 9, 2017 — where your elbows. either kind of coming up at an angle or some people can go all the way up if you’re tight you can probably only go to about here.
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Better Health Channelhttps://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.auAdhesions | Better Health ChannelAdhesions can be treated either with open or laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery, known as adhesiolysis.
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Cleveland Clinichttps://my.clevelandclinic.orgAbdominal Adhesions: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & SurgeryThe only way to break up the scar tissue is through surgery to remove the adhesions. Your healthcare provider will talk you through the potential benefits and r…
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YouTube · Tone and Tightenhttps://www.youtube.comHow To Fix Muscle Knots FOREVER! (Neck, Traps, and Shoulders)Feb 27, 2025 — away that’s the benefit that I hope that you get from this video hope it’s incredibly helpful for you let’s get into it the three things that we nee…
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Alliance Physical Therapy Partnershttps://allianceptp.comBreaking Up Scar Tissue | Whatcom Physical TherapySoft tissue mobilization (STM) — STM is a type of manual therapy, which means therapists use their hands to do it. This therapy involves therapists applying the…
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KC Rehabhttps://www.kcrehabpt.com6 Physical Therapy Methods That Can Help Break Up Scar TissueApr 9, 2025 — Ultrasound therapy — An ultrasound wand delivers high-frequency sound waves into scarred tissue to create heat and gentle stimulation. This helps res…
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The Chiropractors at the Springfield Wellness Centerhttps://www.silverichiro.comShoulder Pain Treatment Springfield ILOne technique is known as Active Release Technique, in which the doctor will shorten the specific muscle, apply tension to it, and then lengthen and stretch the…
Can physical therapy help with adhesions?Your PT will use their hands to make massage-like movements. This helps relieve adhesions or knots of tension between layers of tissue known as trigger points.
How do you dissolve adhesions?
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Mobility-Dochttps://mobility-doc.comHow To Break Up Scar Tissue – Mobility-DocTechniques for Breaking Up Scar Tissue * This technique involves applying deep, perpendicular strokes across the scar tissue to break up adhesions and promote …
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Integrated Rehabilitation Serviceshttps://integrehab.comWhat Is Muscle Adhesion and How Does It Occur?Dec 21, 2021 — Treatment for Muscle Adhesion Treatments vary based on the muscle adhesion’s location. The goal is to deliver fluid and blood flow, lubricate the ar…
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BenchMark Physical Therapyhttps://www.benchmarkpt.comScar Tissue Treatment Options – BenchMark Physical TherapyExercise & Stretching Mild-to-moderate exercise increases circulation and improves range of motion. Targeted exercise also helps prevent and reduce scar tissue …
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Chiropractor in Hinsdale, ILhttps://adisihealth.comHow Muscle Adhesions Form & How to Break Them Down – Adisi HealthThe good news? Adhesions are reversible! Soft tissue therapies can help restore normal movement, relieve pain, and improve muscle function. Best Treatments for …
Can physical therapy break up scar tissue?
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Panther Physical Therapyhttps://pantherpt.comBreaking Up Scar Tissue With Physical Therapy | Panther PTTrigger point therapy — Trigger point therapy is a hands-on physical therapy technique where the physical therapist will place pressure on trigger points to hel…
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BenchMark Physical Therapyhttps://www.benchmarkpt.comScar Tissue Treatment Options – BenchMark Physical Therapy
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Excel Sports & Physical Therapyhttps://excelsportspt.comBreaking Up Scar Tissue | Physical Therapy | Excel SPTPhysical therapy can help break up the scar tissue, so you can recover from your injury or surgery with less pain. Scar tissue is tough and does not flex easily…