What is Connective tissue manipulation

Some of the health issues people are suffering from, in this busy world can be alleviated or remedied with the use of a couple of fantastic Physiotherapy techniques, Connective Tissue Manipulation and Manual lymph drainage. I have described the two techniques in the following paragraphs and then followed with a description of one of the problems it can remedy Sciatica. Other problems that can be sorted out by this technique are referred pain, cold hands and feet, slipped disc, reynauds, groin strain and Supraspinatus tendinitus.

How can some of these problems be alleviated?

Connective Tissue Reflex Manipulation

Carried out by the Physiotherapist using the maleable surface of the finger tips to move one level of skin on the level below. This movement causes a quick, quick, flex reflex, creating a reaction, which moves out along the connective tissue. The individuals brain translates this reaction as if it was a ‘cut’ or a ‘abrasion’. The tighter the connective tissue the bigger the flex reflex and this then in turn feels more intense to the sharper the ‘cut’ feels to the patient}. The reaction is a small reaction which travels through the fluid in the connective tissue and releases tension. The lessening in stress around the blood vessel walls allows additional blood to flow into the injured region and so lessens the swelling. Softening the connective tissue also allows more movement to happen without triggering off irritation and therefore pain. Treatment often starts at a distance from the injured area slowly moving closer to the source of injury. The benefits of Connective Tissue Manipulation are cumulative. After the stress has been reduced by manipulation the decrease is sustained. Continued lessening in connective tissue tension happens with every extra manipulation. The degree to which the lessening in connective tissue tension is held at is conditional on the amount of tension added to the system by the individuals lifestyle. Connective Tissue Manipulation is a technique learnt at postgraduate level in the United Kingdom and because of this it hasn’t spread very rapidly across the country. At the last count, there were something like two dozen Physiotherapists in the United Kingdom actively practising Connective Tissue Manipulation.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!