As an active individual or athlete, you know the importance of maintaining your body’s health and wellness. Soft tissue therapy, a form of manual therapy that targets the muscles, fascia, and connective tissues, can help you achieve just that.
At Vive we developed an approach to soft tissue work that integrates several different techniques. We subscribe to Bruce Lee axion, “Absorb what is useful, discard what is not, add what is uniquely your own.” This gives us a comprehensive toolbox to help you.
In this guide, we’ll explore three common types of soft tissue therapy. They can help alleviate pain, improve mobility, and enhance your overall wellness.

Deep Tissue Therapy: Alleviate Muscle Tension and Improve Your Performance
Deep tissue therapy is a popular form of soft tissue work that targets the deeper layers of muscle tissue.
It involves using slow, deep strokes and pressure to release muscle tension and alleviate chronic pain. Deep tissue therapy is especially beneficial for athletes who engage in high-impact activities that put significant stress on their muscles.
Benefits of Deep Tissue Therapy
Here are some of the benefits of deep tissue therapy for active individuals and athletes:
- Alleviates chronic pain: Deep tissue therapy can help alleviate chronic pain in the back, neck, shoulders, hips, and legs, among other areas. It can also help with conditions such as fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, and sciatica.
- Improves flexibility and range of motion: Deep tissue therapy can help improve your flexibility and range of motion. This occurs through releasing muscle tension and breaking up adhesions in the muscle tissue.
- Enhances athletic performance: Deep tissue therapy can help reduce muscle soreness and fatigue. This can enhance your athletic performance and reduce your risk of injury.
Techniques Used in Deep Tissue Therapy
Here are some of the techniques used in deep tissue therapy:
- Deep pressure: This involves using deep, sustained pressure to release tension in the deeper layers of muscle tissue.
- Trigger point therapy: This involves applying pressure to trigger points, or knots, in the muscle tissue to release tension and alleviate pain.
What to Expect During a Deep Tissue Therapy Session
During a deep tissue therapy session, you can expect the following:
- Communication: Your therapist will ask you about your medical history and any areas of pain or discomfort. They will also communicate with you throughout the session to ensure that the pressure is comfortable and effective.
- Discomfort: You may experience some discomfort during the session as the therapist applies deep pressure to your muscles. However, effective communication with your therapist can help you adjust the pressure and ensure a more comfortable experience.
- Aftercare: Your therapist may recommend stretches or exercises to help maintain the benefits of the session and prevent future injuries.
When to Consider Deep Tissue Therapy
Consider deep tissue therapy if you experience any of the following:
- Chronic pain or discomfort in the muscles or joints
- Limited range of motion or flexibility
- Muscle soreness or fatigue after high-impact activities
- Scar tissue or adhesions in the muscle tissue
All of this is to say, deep tissue therapy can be a valuable tool for active individuals and athletes who want to alleviate pain, improve mobility, and enhance their overall wellness.

Myofascial Release Therapy: Unlocking Your Body’s Full Potential
Myofascial release therapy is a form of tissue work that targets the fascia. The fascia is connective tissue that covers and supports the muscles and organs in the body.
The technique involves applying gentle, sustained pressure to the fascia to release tension and alleviate pain. This therapy is especially beneficial for athletes and active individuals who want to improve their pliability.
Benefits of Myofascial Release Therapy
Here are some of the benefits of myofascial release therapy for active individuals and athletes:
- Improves flexibility and range of motion: Myofascial release therapy can help improve your flexibility and range of motion by releasing tension and adhesions in the fascia.
- Alleviates chronic pain: Myofascial release therapy can help alleviate chronic pain in the muscles and joints, including conditions such as fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, and chronic back pain.
- Reduces muscle soreness and fatigue: Myofascial release therapy can help reduce muscle soreness and fatigue after high-impact activities, allowing you to recover more quickly and perform at your best.
Techniques Used in Myofascial Release Therapy
Here are some of the techniques used in myofascial release therapy:
- Direct myofascial release: This involves applying sustained pressure to specific points in the fascia to release tension and adhesions.
- Indirect myofascial release: This involves stretching and mobilizing the fascia through gentle movements to release tension and improve mobility.
What to Expect During a Myofascial Release Therapy Session
During a myofascial release therapy session, you can expect the following:
- Communication: Your therapist will ask you about your medical history and any areas of pain or discomfort. They will also communicate with you throughout the session to ensure that the pressure is comfortable and effective.
- Gentle pressure: Myofascial release therapy involves applying gentle, sustained pressure to the fascia. You may experience some discomfort during the session, but effective communication with your therapist can help you adjust the pressure and ensure a more comfortable experience.
- Aftercare: Your therapist may recommend stretches or exercises to help maintain the benefits of the session and prevent future injuries.
When to Consider Myofascial Release Therapy
Consider myofascial release as a soft tissue therapy if you experience any of the following:
- Chronic pain or discomfort in the muscles or joints
- Limited range of motion or flexibility
- Muscle soreness or fatigue after high-impact activities
- Scar tissue or adhesions in the fascia
In conclusion, myofascial release therapy can be a powerful tool. It help athletes and active individuals who want to unlock their body’s full potential and improve their overall wellness.

Neuromuscular Technique: Tackling Pain and Tension at the Source
Neuromuscular technique is a type of soft tissue therapy that targets specific trigger points in the muscles. The goal is to release tension and alleviate pain. This therapy is especially effective for athletes and active individuals who want to address chronic pain and injuries.
How Neuromuscular Technique Works
Neuromuscular technique is based on the concept that trigger points can cause referred pain and tension throughout the body. By targeting these trigger points, a therapist can release tension in the affected muscles and alleviate pain.
Benefits of Neuromuscular Technique
Here are some of the benefits of neuromuscular technique for active individuals and athletes:
- Alleviates chronic pain: Neuromuscular technique can be highly effective for addressing chronic pain, including conditions such as sciatica, chronic back pain, and tension headaches.
- Improves range of motion and flexibility: By releasing tension in the muscles, neuromuscular technique can help improve your range of motion and flexibility.
- Helps prevent injuries: Neuromuscular technique can help identify and address imbalances and tension in the muscles that can lead to injuries.
Techniques Used in Neuromuscular Technique
Here are some of the techniques used in neuromuscular technique:
- Trigger point therapy: This involves applying sustained pressure to specific trigger points in the muscles to release tension and alleviate pain.
- Muscle stripping: This involves using a series of deep strokes along the length of the muscle to release tension and improve flexibility.
- Cross-fiber friction: This involves using small circular or back-and-forth movements to release tension and improve circulation in the affected muscles.
What to Expect During a Neuromuscular Technique Session
During a neuromuscular technique session, you can expect the following:
- Communication: Your therapist will ask you about your medical history and any areas of pain or discomfort. They will also communicate with you throughout the session to ensure that the pressure is comfortable and effective.
- Targeted pressure: Neuromuscular technique involves applying targeted pressure to specific trigger points in the muscles. You may experience some discomfort during the session, but effective communication with your therapist can help you adjust the pressure and ensure a more comfortable experience.
- Aftercare: Your therapist may recommend stretches or exercises to help maintain the benefits of the session and prevent future injuries.
When to Consider Neuromuscular Technique
Consider neuromuscular technique if you experience any of the following:
- Chronic pain or discomfort in the muscles or joints
- Limited range of motion or flexibility
- Frequent injuries or imbalances in the muscles
In conclusion, neuromuscular technique can be a highly effective tool for active individuals and athletes who want to address chronic pain and tension at the source.
Pin & Stretch Active Release: Unlocking Tight Muscles for Peak Performance
Pin & stretch active release is a type of tissue work that uses a combination of pressure and movement to release tension in tight muscles. This technique can be highly effective for active individuals and athletes who want to improve their range of motion and flexibility.
How Pin & Stretch Active Release Works
Pin & stretch active release involves using a pinning technique to hold a muscle in place, while applying a stretching force to the muscle fibers. This helps to release tension and improve flexibility in the targeted muscle.
Benefits of Pin & Stretch Active Release
Here are some of the benefits of pin & stretch active release for active individuals and athletes:
- Improves range of motion and flexibility: Pin & stretch active release can help to release tension in the muscles, which can improve your range of motion and flexibility.
- Alleviates muscle pain and tension: Pin & stretch active release can be highly effective for addressing tight, sore muscles and relieving pain and tension.
- Helps prevent injuries: Pin & stretch active release can help identify and address imbalances and tension in the muscles that can lead to injuries.
Techniques Used in Pin & Stretch Active Release
Here are some of the techniques used in pin & stretch active release:
- Pinning: This involves holding a muscle in place using a specific pinning technique, which helps to isolate the muscle fibers.
- Stretching: Once the muscle is pinned, a therapist will apply a stretching force to the muscle fibers, helping to release tension and improve flexibility.
- Active engagement: The client will be asked to actively engage the targeted muscle during the pin & stretch active release, which can help to further release tension and improve flexibility.
What to Expect During a Pin & Stretch Active Release Session
During a pin & stretch active release session, you can expect the following:
- Communication: Your therapist will ask you about your medical history and any areas of pain or discomfort. They will also communicate with you throughout the session to ensure that the pressure and stretching force are comfortable and effective.
- Pinning and stretching: The therapist will use a combination of pinning and stretching techniques to release tension in the targeted muscle.
- Active engagement: You may be asked to actively engage the targeted muscle during the pin & stretch active release, which can help to further release tension and improve flexibility.
When to Consider Pin & Stretch Active Release
Consider pin & stretch active release if you experience any of the following:
- Tight, sore muscles
- Limited range of motion or flexibility
- Frequent injuries or imbalances in the muscles
In conclusion, pin & stretch active release can be a highly effective tool for active individuals and athletes who want to unlock tight muscles and improve their range of motion and flexibility.
Integrating Techniques with a Professional: Maximizing the Benefits of Tissue Work
While each type of tissue work offers its own unique benefits, integrating multiple techniques with a professional can provide added benefits for active individuals and athletes. By working with a skilled practitioner who understands the nuances of different tissue work techniques, you can unlock even more benefits for your body.
Why Integrate Different Techniques?
Here are some reasons why integrating different tissue work techniques with a professional can be beneficial:
- Comprehensive approach: Integrating different techniques can offer a more comprehensive approach to addressing your body’s specific needs. Each technique offers unique benefits, and combining them can provide a more holistic approach to tissue work.
- Customized treatment: Working with a skilled practitioner who can integrate different techniques means that you’ll receive a customized treatment tailored to your specific needs. This can result in a more effective treatment and faster results.
- Improved outcomes: Integrating different techniques can help to improve outcomes and accelerate your body’s natural healing processes.
Examples of Integrating Techniques
Here are some examples of how different tissue work techniques can be integrated to provide added benefits:
- Myofascial release and deep tissue therapy: By combining these techniques, a practitioner can release tension in both the muscle fibers and surrounding fascia, providing a more comprehensive approach to soft tissue therapy.
- Neuromuscular technique and pin & stretch active release: By integrating these techniques, a practitioner can target specific trigger points in the muscles, release tension, and improve range of motion and flexibility.
- Sports massage and myofascial release: By combining these techniques, a practitioner can address both acute and chronic muscle pain and tension. They can also improve circulation and range of motion.
The Benefits of Working with a Skilled Practitioner
Integrating different soft tissue work techniques can provide added benefits. However, it’s important to work with a skilled practitioner who understands how to integrate different techniques effectively. Here are some benefits of working with a skilled practitioner:
- Customized treatment: A skilled practitioner can customize your treatment to meet your specific needs. Integrating different techniques provides a more comprehensive approach.
- Better outcomes: By working with a skilled practitioner, you’ll receive a more effective treatment that can accelerate your body’s natural healing processes.
- Improved safety: Tissue work can be intense, and working with a skilled practitioner can ensure that the techniques are applied safely and effectively.
Integrating different soft tissue therapy techniques with a skilled practitioner can provide added benefits for active individuals and athletes.
By customizing your treatment and addressing your body’s specific needs, you can achieve better outcomes and faster results.
If you’re interested in integrating different tissue work techniques, make sure to choose a skilled practitioner who has all these tools in their toolbox.
TL;DR Soft Tissue Therapy Techniques
In summary, there are various soft tissue therapy techniques that can help individuals improve their overall wellness and performance. Deep tissue therapy, Myofascial release, Neuromuscular technique, and Pin and stretch are complimentary methods.
A professional integrates these techniques and provides added benefits such as personalized treatment plans and expert guidance on injury prevention and recovery.
Overall, incorporating tissue work and physical therapy into a regular fitness routine can help to enhance athletic performance, prevent injuries, and improve overall physical health.