Physical Therapy & Soft Tissue Mobilization in Florida

Hello, my name is Mark Mottillo, MPT, and I received my Master’s of Physical Therapy from Slippery Rock University in 1992. With over 30 years of experience using soft tissue techniques, treating a variety of orthopedic injuries, my goal is to provide patient-optimized care specifically designed to have you feeling better, sooner. At MuscleMend, I offer soft tissue mobilization, trigger point massage therapy, myofascial release, and Graston and cupping services for patients of all sizes and activity levels.

What is Soft Tissue Mobilization (STM)?

Soft tissue mobilization is a hands-on physical therapy technique that uses a combination of stretching and deep pressure to relieve muscle tension, break up tense muscle tissue, and move fluids trapped within muscular tissue that often lead to pain, discomfort, inflammation, and decreased athletic or everyday mobility. After a consultation, MuscleMend can identify problem areas and develop a specialized treatment plan that incorporates several techniques designed to restore damaged tissue to normal or improved levels of movement and function.

What is Trigger Point Massage Therapy?

Trigger point massage therapy is a specialized massage technique designed to release knots or tightly contracted areas of muscle tissue, known as trigger points, that can cause significant pain, stiffness, and limited range of motion. Trigger points commonly develop through overuse, injuries, incorrect posture, and even stress. MuscleMend Physical Therapy can identify and address these trigger points with deep, sustained pressure and stretching to restore adequate levels of blood flow, reducing pain and extending the muscle tissue to its normal length and functionality.

What is Myofascial Release (MFR)?

Myofascial release is a specialized form of physical therapy that utilizes gentle and sustained pressure to help relieve pain and stiff movement by alleviating tension built up in the fascia. The fascia is the connective tissue surrounding muscles and organs that forms a network throughout the body and provides crucial support for all other bodily systems. Using delicate pressure from hands, myofascial release therapy is incredibly useful for back pain, neck pain, whiplash, and sports injuries.

What is Graston & Cupping?

Graston and cupping are manual physical therapy processes that offer the possibility to combine two distinct processes into a singular optimized treatment to address soft tissue injuries and movement restrictions. While not always administered as a two-part treatment, Graston and cupping both use specialized instruments. Graston opts for stainless steel instruments to not only detect but also treat built-up scar tissue and restrictions within muscular tissue by scraping and gliding along the skin. Cupping uses carefully controlled suction through glass or silicone cups applied to the skin to lift and separate tissues, resulting in increased levels of blood flow and tension release.