Manual Therapy

What is Manual Therapy?

Manual therapy provides for the treatment of joints or musculature that lacks adequate mobility and range of motion in many musculo-skeletal conditions. This limitation can cause discomfort, pain and an alteration in function, posture and movement.

What Conditions does Manual Therapy Treat?

• Chronic  back pain
• Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
• Acute back or cervical pain from soft tissue injury
• Headaches
• Post surgical neck and back pain.

What Techniques are Used in Manual Therapy?

Manual physical therapy techniques such as muscle energy and joint mobilization restores mobility to stiff joints by reducing muscle and soft tissue limitations in order to return the patient to more natural movement without pain. Manual techniques reduce scapular pain, shoulder impingement, adhesive capsulitis or frozen shoulder. Limitations from wrist, hand and finger fractures or injury are reduced with manual therapy intervention. Restoration of ankle mobility and function after injury or surgery along with plantar fasciitis also respond well to manual therapy techniques.

Manual therapy techniques are active and passive movement, with the help of a physical therapist, of joints and soft tissue that are intended to improve tissue extensibly, increase range of motion and induce relaxation. Also, manual therapy involved mobilizing joints to help reduce pain, reduce soft tissue swelling and inflammation or restriction. Techniques include soft tissue work such as massage, myofascial release and instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM), which applies pressure to the soft tissues to relax muscles, increase circulation, break up scar tissue and ease pain in the soft tissues.