Soft tissue release is precise work. Pressure is applied to hold one specific point of a muscle still, and then the limb is moved to stretch the tissue underneath that fixed point.
Because the muscle is locked at one end, the stretch concentrates exactly where it is needed instead of spreading across the whole muscle. That makes it useful when one part of a muscle is the problem and the rest is fine.
What it feels like
A strong, focused stretch in a small area, lasting a few seconds at a time. It is active work — you may be asked to move the limb yourself while the pressure is held.
Where it helps
Particularly effective around old injuries where scar tissue has left an area that will not lengthen properly, and in muscles like the calves, hamstrings and forearms where a single tight band is often the trouble.