What is manual therapy?
Manual therapy includes a passive, hands on technique provided by a physical therapist or other skilled technician. Manual therapy targets joints, muscles and the neurovascular system. The goal of manual therapy techniques are to improve joint range of motion, improve tissue mobility, promote improved blood flow and decrease pain.
Why manual therapy?
Pain is one of the most common reasons someone would seek out manual therapy. Other complaints that may lead you to manual therapy are joint stiffness, limited joint range of motion or muscle tightness and “trigger points”.
Common problems treated with manual therapy techniques are:
Neck pain
Shoulder pain
Arm pain
Back pain
Hip pain
Knee pain
Ankle pain
Foot pain
What manual therapy services does your physical therapist provide?
Hands on techniques are a great and necessary supplement to your physical therapy journey. Two types of manual therapy you can expect from your physical therapist are soft tissue mobilization and joint mobilization.
Soft tissue mobilization includes using hands on techniques or specific tools to move muscle and other connective tissue to improve tissue mobility, decrease any adhesions after injury and promote blood flow for optimal function of muscle and soft tissue in the body.
Joint mobilization includes targeted pressure at specific joints to improve joint mobility and decrease pain.
What can you expect after manual therapy?
The goal is to feel better and move more freely. After manual therapy the ultimate goal is to feel less stiffness, more joint mobility and decreased muscle tightness. There is also an effect that can diminish your sensitivity to pain, decrease inflammation, and reduce overall pain.
Research has supported that manual therapy in combination with other traditional physical therapy techniques can be beneficial for a variety of musculoskeletal impairments. Schedule your appointment today to see how manual therapy services can help you perform better, live better, get better!