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CONNECTIVE
TISSUE MANIPULATION
Connective Tissue Manipulation
is performed by the Physiotherapist using the soft pads of
the fingers to move one layer of skin on the layer below.
This movement creates a short, sharp, stretch reflex, creating
an impulse, which spreads out through the connective tissue.
The patient's brain translates this impulse as if it were
a 'cut' or a 'scratch'. The tighter the connective tissue
the bigger the stretch reflex and therefore the sharper the
'cut' feels to the patient. The reflex is a small impulse
which passes through the fluid in the connective tissue and
releases tension.
The reduction in tension around the blood
vessel walls allows more blood to flow into the damaged area
and so reduces the inflammation. Softening the connective
tissue also allows more movement to occur without causing
irritation and therefore pain. Treatment often starts at a
distance from the injured part gradually working closer to
the source of injury. The benefits of Connective Tissue Manipulation
are cumulative. Once the tension has been lowered by treatment
the reduction is maintained. Further reduction in connective
tissue tension occurs with each additional treatment. The
degree to which the reduction in connective tissue tension
is maintained is conditional upon the level of stress added
to the system by the patient's lifestyle.
Connective Tissue
Manipulation is a technique learnt at postgraduate level in
the UK and because of this it hasn't spread very rapidly around
the country. At the last count, there were something like
two dozen Physiotherapists in the UK actively practising Connective
Tissue Manipulation. |
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