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Physiotherapy vocabulary · Manual Therapy and Hands-On Treatment

Soft tissue massage

Meaning in physiotherapy, with examples

nounCommon term

In physiotherapy, soft tissue massage means: Hands-on treatment that rubs, presses and kneads muscles and other soft tissues to ease pain, tension and stiffness.

In Turkish: yumuşak doku masajı, yumuşak doku mobilizasyonu

How it is used

Physiotherapists often say 'soft tissue work' or 'soft tissue release' and use it as part of manual therapy, alongside exercise. In notes it may be written STM. It is common in sports physiotherapy, for example on tight calves or hamstrings.

Example sentences

  1. We did some soft tissue massage on his calf before the stretches.

  2. Soft tissue massage can feel uncomfortable, so tell me if the pressure is too much.

Common collocations

  • soft tissue work
  • deep tissue massage
  • sports massage
  • soft tissue release
  • manual therapyTreatment in which the physiotherapist uses their hands to move joints, apply pressure or work on muscles and other soft tissues.
  • trigger pointA small, very tender spot in a tight band of muscle that can cause pain both where it is pressed and in another area.
  • muscle spasmA sudden, involuntary tightening of a muscle that can be painful and make movement difficult.
  • muscle toneThe natural level of tension in a resting muscle, felt as resistance when the physiotherapist moves a relaxed limb.

More terms: Manual Therapy and Hands-On Treatment

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.