Adhesion & Scar Tissue Treatment for Chronic Pain

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What Is Fibrous Adhesion?

Fibrous adhesion — commonly referred to as scar tissue — is one of the most common causes of chronic pain, weakness, and restricted movement in the body. It forms within soft tissues such as muscles, tendons, ligaments, and even around nerves, where it limits normal tissue movement and function.

Despite how common it is, adhesion is often under-diagnosed because it does not always appear on MRI or X-ray and requires hands-on functional assessment to identify.

Fibrous Adhesion Explained

Adhesions develop when soft tissue heals in a disorganized way after injury, repetitive strain, inflammation, or prolonged stress. Instead of remaining flexible and elastic, the tissue becomes dense and restrictive, binding layers together that are meant to glide freely.

When this happens, normal movement is altered — often leading to pain, weakness, compensation, and reduced performance.

Adhesion can develop from more than just surgery or trauma. Common contributors include:

• Repetitive motion or overuse
   
• Sports injuries or occupational strain
   
• Poor movement mechanics or compensation
   
• Previous injuries that never fully resolved
   

Even everyday activities such as typing, lifting, or running can contribute to adhesion formation over time, leading to problems like tennis elbow, shoulder pain, hip restriction, or leg injuries.

When adhesion is present, muscles must work harder to move through restricted tissue. This increased demand places stress on joints, cartilage, and surrounding structures.

Over time, this can contribute to:

• Chronic tightness or fatigue
   
• Ongoing joint pain
   
• Nerve irritation or altered sensation
   
• Progressive dysfunction if left unaddressed
   

Stretching, foam rolling, and home remedies may provide short-term relief, but they rarely resolve adhesion fully.

Effective care requires targeted, specific treatment aimed at restoring normal tissue movement. At Discover Soft Tissue and Spine, we focus on advanced soft-tissue evaluation and treatment methods designed to address adhesion at its source — not just manage symptoms.

Dr. Eric Lambert specializes in identifying and treating adhesion and scar-tissue-related dysfunction. Many patients seek care here after other approaches have provided only limited or temporary results.

Through precise assessment and specialized treatment, even long-standing conditions may improve when the underlying restriction is properly addressed.

If you’re in Grand Rapids or West Michigan and struggling with persistent muscle or joint pain, a focused adhesion evaluation can help determine what’s limiting your movement.

Have questions or wondering if adhesion may be involved?
Fill out the form below and our team will reach out to discuss your concerns and next steps.

📞 Prefer to speak with us directly? Call 616-956-1112.