Manual Therapy & Manipulations
- What is Manual Therapy?
Manual Therapy is defined as a clinical approach utilizing specific hands-on techniques. During this technique, Physiotherapist uses their hands to create pressure on muscle tissue and joints which decreases the pain caused by muscle spasm, muscle tension, and joint dysfunction. It helps to diagnose soft tissues and joint structures for purpose of controlling the pain. - Who can be treated with manual therapy?
Individuals who have muscle pain and disability can be treated through manual therapy.
Manual Therapy can be very helpful for the treatment of joints that lack adequate mobility and range of motion.
It helps the patients to restore flexibility and reduces muscle tension using natural treatment. This is a gentle manual therapy technique targeting the muscular element of the musculoskeletal system. - What should I expect during a manual therapy session?
In general, manual physical therapy techniques involves the following types of movement:
– Soft tissue work including: massage, pressure is applied to the soft tissues of the body such as the muscles. This pressure can help relax muscles, increase circulation, break up scar tissue, and ease pain in the soft tissues.
– Mobilization/manipulation uses measured movements of varying speed (slow to fast), force (gentle to forceful), and distances (called ‘amplitude’) to twist, pull, or push bones and joints into position. This can help loosen tight tissues around a joint, reduce pain in joint and surrounding tissue, and help with flexibility and alignment. - Will it hurt?
The short answer, no.
Manual therapy is a hands on work, so the therapist will feel the limits of your muscles and joints and will never force a joint to an amplitude beyond its physiological ( natural) degrees. Our therapists are well trained in manual therapy as well as listening to the patient. So if our therapists feel that the patient is in pain or uncomfortable they will not perform the modality. - What is Spinal manipulation?
Spinal manipulation, also called spinal manipulative therapy or manual therapy, combines moving and jolting joints, massage, exercise, and physical therapy.
It’s designed to relieve pressure on joints, reduce inflammation, and improve nerve function. It’s often used to treat back, neck, shoulder, and headache pain. - What should I expect during a spinal manipulation session?
In spinal manipulation, the physiotherapist uses their hands to apply a controlled, sudden force to a specific joint. Patients often hear popping noises, like when you crack your knuckles. - When is spinal manipulation used?
Spinal manipulation is used by physical therapists to
– Facilitate movement.– Relieve pain.
– Increase circulation.
– Relax muscles
– Improve muscle function. -
Will it hurt?
The answer is again no.
The therapist will only be reliving the tension and trapped gases inside the joint which causes the popping sound that you would hear. This in turn decreases the intra-articular pressure therefore providing a sensation of relief.
