A systematic review published in Manual Therapy found that manual soft-tissue therapies are effective in treating certain musculoskeletal disorders and injuries, including carpal tunnel syndrome, lateral epicondylitis, and plantar fasciitis.
The review critically appraised seven articles published between 1990 and 2015, with the purpose of clarifying the role of soft-tissue therapies in the management of upper and lower extremity musculoskeletal disorders and injuries. The review concluded that:
- Myofascial release therapy was effective for treating lateral epicondylitis and plantar fasciitis.
- Movement re-education was effective for managing lateral epicondylitis.
- Localized relaxation massage combined with multimodal care may provide short-term benefit for treating carpal tunnel syndrome.
Read the full review here.