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More Complementary & Integrative Healthcare Articles
Cross Fiber Friction For Common Injuries
Cross fiber friction therapy is a type of manual therapy used by massage therapists with specialized training. The aim of this work is to break down old scar tissue, stimulate healthy collagen production, reduce pain, and restore range of motion.
Why break down scar tissue? Scar tissue serves its purpose in the aftermath of an injury, no question, but in a rapid attempt to heal the scar tissue is often a random pattern of tissue instead of a neat, striated pattern. This type of tissue is weaker and prone to tears, leaving the person vulnerable to re-injury and repeated pain. The original may not be remembered as a distinct hurt, but may be a result of overuse or poor posture patterns that eventually results in a tissue tear in the ligament or tendon. Ligaments and tendons serve as bracing, stabilizing connective tissue and should be strong and tight. The muscles on the other hand, should be more flexible and less tight to achieve full range of motion.
Cross fiber friction therapy is done with no oil, and uses a repetitive stroke that to the recipient should start to feel as mildly annoying after some time. This is not a relaxing Swedish massage, but does have a very distinct feel for the client that what is being worked really needs the work. Each injured area is worked for about 10 minutes, perhaps less on the first session. A series of short sessions is recommended to achieve optimal results. Some soreness the next day or two is normal, if the soreness extends beyond that the therapist should lighten the depth of pressure in subsequent sessions.
Assessments tests can be used to isolate which ligaments and tendons need the work.
Common conditions such as tennis elbow, bicep and subscapularis tendonitis, lateral ankle sprains, and patellar tendonitis can respond very well to this type of therapy as the origin of the pain resides in the tendons and ligaments, not the muscle. Muscles when injured tend to repair fairly rapidly as they are vascular connective tissue, whereas the ligaments and tendons take longer to repair and can be prone to re-injury due to their poor blood supply. The low back and knees are also good areas for this therapy as most injuries and pain in those areas concern tendons and ligaments.
