5 types of soft tissue injuries that may be improved through physical therapy

Most people never really look into physical therapy until they’re recovering from an injury. Physical therapy is a set of practices that support healthy movement in the musculoskeletal system. In addition to recovery and rehabilitation, PT can also help with management of pain and chronic conditions, sports performance, and more. 

Soft tissue injuries affect the muscles, tendons, ligaments and connective tissue. They can happen through overuse or repetitive movement, especially when you don’t warm up or give yourself time to recover after physical activity. They can also be a result of traumatic injuries such as falls or accidents. 

In this blog post, we’ll share five types of soft tissue injuries that may be improved through physical therapy treatments.

5 types of soft tissue injuries that may be improved through physical therapy

Physical therapy treatments are holistic remedies for soft tissue injuries. Your physical therapist may incorporate movement or exercise, hands-on manipulation, or different types of stimulation to support your body’s natural healing processes. Increasing blood flow to damaged tissue helps flush out infection and inflammation while repairing damage. Your first few treatments may focus on reducing pain and swelling while increasing circulation to the affected area. As you progress, your PT will break up stiffness and scar tissue to mobilize soft tissue and joints.

The following are five types of soft tissue injuries that may be improved through physical therapy:

• Strains and sprains — Strains and sprains happen when a muscle or ligament, respectively, is stretched too far, sometimes causing a tear. They’re usually caused by sudden movements, but sometimes muscle strains are caused by overuse. You may feel pain, warmth, tenderness or instability in affected joints. 
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis is inflammation of tendons, the thick, cord-like tissue that attaches muscles to bones. It can be caused by overuse or an acute injury. Besides pain and swelling, you may feel tenderness, warmth or a burning sensation in the affected area. Some common forms of tendinitis are tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow. 
• Bursitis — Bursae are fluid-filled sacs that cushion joints from impact. When they become inflamed or infected, it’s called bursitis. Bursitis most often occurs in the shoulders, elbows and hips. 
• Wounds or incisions — As deep wounds and incisions heal, they form scar tissue and the skin around them tightens. Physical therapy can help keep nutrients and oxygen flowing to the injury and help restore flexibility.
• Contusions — Pressure and impact can cause bruising or bleeding under the skin. Physical therapy helps repair broken blood vessels, reduce tenderness and clear up visible bruises.

Get a personalized treatment plan for your soft tissue injury at REPAIR SI

Each patient and each soft tissue injury are unique. Your physical therapist should start with an in-depth assessment and interview to get a better understanding of your condition and your current abilities. From there, they’ll create a treatment plan that’s responsive to your symptoms and your needs. Depending on your injury, your plan might include hands-on manipulation, specialized treatments like dry needling, guided exercises, a home exercise plan and suggestions for lifestyle adjustments.

Are you recovering from a soft tissue injury? At REPAIR SI, we offer a range of holistic healing services, including physical therapy, acupuncture, sports massage and much more. Our specialists can help you manage your pain while you recover and make the fastest, most complete recovery possible. 

Find out if physical therapy is right for you. Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.