Soft Tissue Injury - 4 Stages of Healing

​1. Injury-Induced Bleeding (0 - 10 Hours Post Injury)
- Trauma induces damage to the surrounding blood vessels and capillaries.
- Gravity may lead to blood pooling distal to the injury.

2. Inflammatory Phase (0 - 3 Days Post Injury)
- Signs and Symptoms: Pain, swelling, redness, increased local temperature, and loss of function.
- Stiffness of injured area due to peripheral muscle contraction or
muscle guarding. This prevents further injury from excessive movement.
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3. Proliferation Phase (2 Days - 6 Weeks Post Injury)
- Proliferation of new collagen fibers (scar tissues) along the site of injury
or line of stress.
- Formation of new blood vessels.
- Phagocytosis: Absorption of oedema and swelling (associated
with decreased pain).

4. The Remodelling Phase (3 Weeks - 12 Months Post Injury)
- Collagen fibers become more organized and dense along the site of injury.
- 1 Year Post Injury: Injured tissue regained 80% of original strength.
- Precaution: Injured tissue has a greater risk of re-injury. Physiotherapy
is necessary for full recovery and injury prevention.

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- Inflammation Phase of Injury: Massage helps to decrease swelling
and pain.
- Proliferation and Remodelling Phase of Injury: Massage helps to
re-organize and re-align the newly proliferated collagen fibers.

Steveston Medi Spa offers various massage services to help you
facilitate healing and reduce pain. 

References
​      1. Magee DJ, Zachazewski JE, Quillen WS. Scientific Foundations
​         and Principles of Practice in Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation. St. Louis,
         Mo: Saunders Elsevier; 2007.