Individual fiber strokes release adhesions and nodules along finger tendons..

Osteoarthritis is present in a large percentage of the population over age 40. Its clinical definition according to Taber’s Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary is: a chronic disease involving the joints, especially those bearing weight. Characterized by destruction of articular cartilage, overgrowth of bone with lipping and spur formation, and impaired function.

From my experience working with oseoarthritis clients, the effected joints are stressed due to one or more of the following conditions: structural misalignment, tension in the soft tissue associated with the joints and muscles for movement, damage due to old injuries or surgeries, or strain patterns in soft tissue that weaken the strength of the joint. Each of these conditions involves irritation of the tissues and an imbalance within the joint capsule that leads to a degeneration of the joint itself, and ultimately arthritis.

Tension in the soft tissue, whether it is in the connective tissue or the muscle tissue that effects joint movement, often causes binding and undue pressure within the joint itself. It also limits the overall range of motion of the joint allowing degeneration to occur and a build up of calcium deposits. Either one of these directly feeds already existing arthritic degeneration or, over a period of time, leads to arthritic degeneration within the joint. Releasing the restrictions in the soft tissue that bind the joint or limit its range of motion allows a healthy joint to remain healthy, and stops the arthritic degeneration allowing it to return to full range of motion and become healthy once again.

Many people injure their joints or have damaging surgeries, and later develop arthritis. Often these injuries and surgeries leave the joints imbalanced and bound with tightened tissue that includes scar tissue and splinting. To eliminate the further development of arthritis, and to successfully rehabilitate the joint, SET soft tissue releases are applied to reduce the scar tissue and splinting and restore full range of motion within the proper balance.

When the body is out of alignment, strain patterns result in the muscles and soft tissue. These strain patterns reduce the strength of the muscle function by at least 50% and oftentimes 75%. When these strain patterns exist around joints, the muscles have to tighten, bind and compensate for the resulting weakness of the joints.

The result is build up of fibrous connective tissue that directly restricts range of motion and the strength of the joint. This often results in injury to the joint capsule itself with an ongoing irritation that can lead to arthritis. SET treatment can prevent arthritis or rehabilitate an arthritic joint.

The initial SET treatment objective for clients presenting with pain, inflammation and swelling, is to reduce the swelling and inflammation, using techniques that release fluids and toxins, as these are a direct cause of pain as well as restriction and tension in the joint.

After the inflammation and pain has been reduced, it is now time to address the tension, adhesions, and restrictions found in the myofascial holding patterns that can both bind and cause misalignment to the affected joint. All of the musculature and soft tissue that has any affect on the movement needs to be treated. When the myofascial holding patterns have been released, very specific individual fiber strokes are applied to soften the resistant fibrous adhesions and scar tissue.

The wonderful secondary benefit of SET treatment is that it structurally realigns the joints since soft tissue controls the alignment, range of motion, and movement patterns much more so than the cartilage and effects of the arthritis inside the joint.

- Don McCann, MA, LMT, LMHC – founder Structural Energetic Therapy, Inc.