Adhesions are among the most common, and most frequently overlooked, contributors to persistent musculoskeletal and nerve-related pain.

They are a substance that acts like glue within muscles, nerves, and connective tissues, restricting normal tissue movement, reducing flexibility and strength, altering load distribution, and progressively impairing function.

For individuals who have experienced pain for months or years despite care from multiple providers or treatment approaches, adhesions are often a significant underlying factor.

Adhesions form as part of the body’s natural protective and healing response. Whenever tissue is exposed to stress, injury, or overload, the body lays down new collagen fibres to stabilise and protect the area. In healthy conditions, these fibres remain flexible and able to glide. Over time, however, they can become dense, restricted, and less elastic — limiting movement, altering biomechanics, and contributing to ongoing pain and dysfunction.

There are two main pathways through which adhesions develop.

The first is trauma and tissue injury. This includes events such as accidents, falls, surgeries (including minor procedures), sports injuries, whiplash, fractures, dislocations, or significant inflammatory episodes. As the tissue heals, scar tissue and protective collagen are formed. If this healing tissue is not guided through appropriate movement and progressive load, it can bind to surrounding structures, thicken, and lose its ability to move freely — forming what we refer to as adhesion tissue.

The second pathway is repetitive load, overuse, or underuse. This occurs when tissues are exposed to the same stresses repeatedly over time, or when they are not exposed to enough healthy movement. Common contributors include repetitive work tasks, prolonged sitting, poor posture, one-sided movement patterns, chronic muscle guarding from pain, immobilisation, and general inactivity. In response, the tissue adapts by becoming stiffer and denser, gradually reducing its capacity to tolerate load and movement.

It is important to understand that adhesions themselves are not the problem — they are the body’s attempt to protect you. The issue arises when this protective response outlives its usefulness, limiting function and driving persistent symptoms. At APS Melbourne, treatment focuses on restoring healthy tissue movement, improving load tolerance, and supporting long-term recovery.

Common presentations include:

• Chronic low back pain

• Sciatic nerve entrapment

• Hip and gluteal pain

• Neck and shoulder pain

• Nerve entrapment symptoms

• Restricted mobility and stiffness

• Adhesions from repetitive stress or overuse

• Post-surgical tension or scarring

• Pain that has not resolved with traditional care

As a general rule, if a particular movement reproduces your pain or symptoms, it is something we can most likely assess and address.

If you are unsure whether your condition is appropriate for this type of care, we recommend booking a consultation so we can assess your situation clearly and guide you on the best next steps.

No. Many soft tissue approaches focus primarily on surface muscles, general tissue work, or postural patterns. While these can be helpful, they do not always address the specific structures where restriction and dysfunction are occurring.

Our approach is slow, detailed, and precise. We begin with a thorough assessment to identify the exact mechanical contributors to your symptoms, then apply targeted treatment to the tissues involved.

By treating the true source of the problem and confirming change through ongoing reassessment, this method often produces clearer, more lasting results,especially for individuals whose symptoms have persisted despite other forms of care.

If you are experiencing ongoing muscle, joint, or nerve-related symptoms, you may be a suitable candidate for care at APS Melbourne.

Individuals who have had symptoms for longer than six months — including chronic pain, persistent stiffness, nerve symptoms, or movement restrictions — particularly after care from multiple providers, often respond well to our approach.

We specialise in identifying and treating underlying mechanical contributors that are frequently overlooked, including nerve entrapments and deep-tissue adhesions.

Every body is different. Every pain history is different. And every person’s recovery unfolds in their own way.
Because of this, it isn’t possible to give an exact number of sessions in advance.

For one primary region (such as the low back, shoulder, or hip), many clients typically experience meaningful progress within approximately 12–20 sessions.
More complex or long-standing conditions may require additional care.

Your progress is reassessed regularly, with a focus on clear, measurable improvement — not ongoing treatment without purpose.

Recovery is a shared process. The work we do together in your sessions is important, but your daily habits, movement, and follow-through outside the clinic play a major role in how your body heals and responds.

We work with you as a team, supporting your recovery every step of the way.

This is not a relaxation massage or a gentle adjustment.
Because we are working with restricted tissues and nerve entrapments, the treatment can be intense and, at times, uncomfortable.

That said, it should always feel safe, controlled, and purposeful.

Most clients describe the sensation as strong, targeted pressure that feels “productive” — the kind of discomfort that makes sense once the restriction begins to release.

Clear communication is essential.
If the intensity ever feels too much, you let us know and we will immediately adjust or pause. Treatment is always guided by your feedback and tolerance.

No — those treatments can be very helpful for many situations, but when adhesions or nerve entrapment are the root cause, traditional care often falls short. Our focus is on identifying exactly where tissue is stuck and restoring that movement.

Absolutely. Chronic pain is rarely one-dimensional. We collaborate with:

• GPs

• Psychologists

• Functional medicine practitioners

• Pelvic floor specialists

• Orthopaedic specialists

• And any other providers involved in your care

We believe in a team-based model for the best long-term outcomes.