Tools and method for performing soft tissue massage

A method of loosening a fibrous scar tissue adhesion from underlying soft tissue of a patient by use of a tool separate and distinct from the hands of an individual applying the method, comprising the steps of:

• providing a massaging tool having a curvilinear skin-contacting portion generally matching the contour of the soft tissue;
• passing the curvilinear portion of the tool across the skin of the patient in such a manner to cause noninvasive contact of the skin-contacting portion with the scar tissue adhesion sufficiently to loosen the adhesion from the soft tissue;
• and
• stretching the soft tissue to a maximum possible length after passing the tool across the skin, thereby increasing the range of motion of the soft tissue area.

A method of loosening a fibrous scar tissue adhesion from underlying soft tissue of a patient by use of a tool separate and distinct from the hands of an individual applying the method, comprising the steps of:

• providing a massaging tool having a curvilinear skin-contacting portion generally matching the contour of the soft tissue;
• and
• passing said curvilinear portion of the tool across the skin of the patient in such a manner to cause noninvasive contact of the skin-contacting portion with the scar tissue adhesion sufficiently to loosen the adhesion from the soft tissue;
• wherein said step of passing includes manipulating the adhesion sufficiently to loosen the adhesion from the underlying soft tissue.

A method of loosening a fibrous scar tissue adhesion from underlying muscle tissue of a patient by use of a tool separate and distinct from the hands of an individual applying the method, comprising the steps of:

• providing a massaging tool having a curvilinear skin-contacting portion generally matching the contour of the soft tissue;
• and
• passing the curvilinear portion of the tool across the skin of the patient in such a manner to cause noninvasive contact of the skin contacting portion with a scar tissue adhesion sufficiently to loosen the adhesion from the muscle tissue;
• wherein said step of passing includes manipulating the adhesion sufficiently to loosen the adhesion from the muscle tissue.

A method of removing fibrous scar tissue adhesions from underlying soft tissue, comprising the steps of:

• selecting a first of a set of tools, said first selected tool including a first handle portion and a first skin-contacting portion that is shaped to correspond generally to the contour of a selected part of a patient's body from which a scar tissue adhesion is to be removed, said first skin-contacting portion including a first peripheral edge for making noninvasive contact with said scar tissue adhesion;
• passing said first skin-contacting portion across the skin to permit noninvasive contact of said first peripheral edge with said adhesion sufficiently to loosen and break up said fibrous adhesion from the said soft tissue;
• selecting a second of said set of tools having a second handle portion and a second skin-contacting portion that is shaped to correspond generally to the contour of the selected part of the patient's body, said second skin-contacting portion including a second peripheral edge for making noninvasive contact with said scar tissue adhesion, said second peripheral edge being shaped differently from said first peripheral edge;
• and
• passing said second skin-contacting portion across the skin to permit noninvasive contact of said second peripheral edge with said adhesion sufficiently to pull said broken-up fibrous adhesions away from said soft tissue.