Frequently Asked Questions

Learn more about clinical soft tissue work, treatments, and what to expect.

Before Your Visit

Helpful Information To Get Started

These questions provide a general introduction. Chris can help answer any additional questions before scheduling an appointment.

Treatment

About Clinical Soft Tissue Work (CSTW)

What is clinical soft tissue work (CSTW)?

Clinical soft tissue work (CSTW) is the hands-on evaluation and treatment of problems in the connective tissue. It's an often staggeringly effective means of fixing all kinds of joint problems, both acute and chronic.

What conditions can treatment help address?

CSTW is very effective at addressing a wide range of conditions. Some of these include muscle tension, joint stiffness, chronic pain, movement limitations, and post-surgical recovery. For a comprehensive list of conditions we regularly treat, please visit our treatments page.

How is CSTW different from massage?

CSTW is more targeted at addressing specific soft tissue dysfunctions and movement impairments, versus typical massage therapy which is more for general relaxation.

Appointments

Preparing for Your Visit

What should I expect for the first appointment?

The first visit and typical subsequent visits are one hour. Please wear or bring loose fitting clothes, preferably of natural fibers. If you've had any imaging (ie. X-rays/MRIs) please bring the reports, and if possible, the images.

How many sessions will I need?

This is a common, understandable, and legitimate question that is almost impossible to answer with any accuracy. The official answer is, "No idea... we'll see. Certainty doesn't exist this side of the dirt.". This approach spares the clinician the risk of being accused of over-promising. One doesn't want to hear, "You said it would take 2 months, it's been 10 weeks and it's still not entirely better!!". Instead, play the mute, says the common wisdom. But I am not wise. So I try to offer diminished uncertainty (however tentative) based on tendencies I've observed in my stint of service. These are a few.

Chronicity:

In general, the longer you've experienced symptoms, the longer it takes to fix the problems associated with them.

State of the musculature:

A robust, highly vascular musculature is easier to fix and provides better support for the joints.

Patient compliance:

One of the greatest clinical challenges involves persuding a patient to hold off on activities that exacerbate their condition. While it is difficult to predict how long a case will last, it's easy to say with certainty that, for example, a patient with a shoulder impingement will spend more time and money on his case if he refuses to hold off on overhead lifting until he's ready. My old boss, the inestimable Wayne Winnick, would waste no time trying to persuade. Boss: "No golf for at least a month." Big deal CEO patient: "I'm playing golf Saturday." Boss: "Good, I'm having my kitchen redone. You can pay for it." Then he walks out. The young'ins call that "gangsta." But I digress.

Quality and quantity of sleep:

One of my favorite expressions that relates to this is, "The tour de France is won in bed.". The real athlete takes his rest as seriously as his workouts. The tour de France is the energetic output of a marathon every day for a month. There is no degree of athleticism that can make up for insufficient rest between daily output. The physiology of healing takes place most effectively in a parasympathetic state. The ultimate parasympathetic state is deep sleep. Many people sleep superficially. One common reason is alcohol consumption. These days we have devices that can measure the quality and quantity of your sleep.

Still Have Questions?

Reach Out to Start the Conversation

Contact us with any questions about treatment, appointments, or whether CSTW may be appropriate for you.

Contact Manual Rehab