Manual Therapy
Manual therapy is the manual force applied directly to the body to improve mobility in areas that are restricted such as joints, connective tissue, or skeletal muscles. The three most common forms of manual therapy include mobilization, manipulation, and massage. Mobilization is a slow, controlled process of soft-tissue and articular stretching intended to improve bio-mechanical elasticity. Manipulation is a more aggressive treatment that usually results in a popping sound when gas bubbles are released from a joint. Lastly, massaging is the repetitive kneading or rubbing of tissue to improve interstitial fluid dynamics.
Benefits of Manual Therapy
The best manual therapy programs integrate different techniques to alleviate the patient of his or her injuries or chronic pain. Using manipulation and soft tissue therapy methods, the Boynton Beach BCS Physical Therapy & Wellness manual therapy can help you realize several of the following benefits.
Reduction of Pain
Whether you are an athlete who puts his or her body under the stress of training or experiencing chronic pain due to age or injury, our goal is to reduce it. Committing to a custom therapy plan can even eliminate the chronic pain that limits your ability to use your body as intended.
Improved Performance
Manual therapy is not only for reducing pain. Depending on your goals, working your program can increase your athletic or daily performance.
Better Range of Motion
One of the most significant benefits of manual therapy is more range of motion. Often, people with chronic pain experience a limited range of motion in the joints. Using manual therapy over time allow you to move your joints as intended which can affect your gait, posture, and movements from your head to your feet.
Common Conditions
Manual therapy can treat many different injuries and conditions. The following are just a few examples of the conditions our therapists can assess and manage:
- Osteoarthritis
- Shoulder impingement
- Back pain
- Tears in the rotator cuff
- Chronic pain
- Inflammation
- Musculoskeletal conditions
- Sports injuries
The use of manual therapy in conjunction with other healing methodologies can increase the speed at which you heal and improve your performance and quality of life.
Difference Between Manual Therapy and Massage Therapy
Some people confuse manual therapy for massage therapy. It is probably because therapists often use massage in their treatment plans. The American Medical Association defines the two as follows:
- Massage Therapy – Entails hacking, cupping, plucking, kneading, and skin rolling. It can alleviate stress or tension and improve circulation.
- Manual Therapy – Includes joint manipulation and mobilization, soft tissue mobilization, compression bandaging or manual traction. It can assess a person’s injuries and limitations and enhance the healing process.
The techniques our South Florida manual therapy staff use may feel the same to the patient. However, manual therapy aims to stimulate and enhance your muscles and joints, while massage cannot achieve the same goals.
Our Boynton Beach manual therapists undergo comprehensive training far beyond that of a massage therapist. They work in tandem with medical teams to assess and plan a program for optimum healing. We understand how chronic conditions and illnesses can limit a person’s activity and affect his or her quality of life. Reducing your pain and healing your injuries in a safe and consistent manner is our priority.
Styles of Manual Therapy
Manual therapy encompasses many different styles and schools of thought across the world. The techniques our Boynton Beach manual therapists use are joint mobilization, spinal manipulation and mobilization, massage, Myofascial release, and more. In many ways, these are the most recognized styles in the field.
Manual therapy also encompasses the following styles:
- Bone setting
- Acupressure
- Chiropractic
- Osteopathy
- Shiatsu
Many of the above are also popular styles; however, the list goes on. Speak to a member of our staff to determine the best treatment program and what methods to employ.
Manual Therapy Techniques
The approach your therapist takes depends on your condition and the cause of your pain. There is no single approach to address your problem. Luckily, there are many techniques you and your therapist can use to assess and heal your body.
Soft Tissue Techniques
Also known as Myofascial Release, therapists use this when muscles, tendons, and ligaments are tight and causing you pain. The techniques used can restore movement and restore range of motion.
Strain/Counterstrain techniques can help a therapist identify tender spots causing muscle spasms. He or she can then help large muscle groups return to their natural function.
Joint Techniques
Manual therapists use joint techniques to restore flexibility and range of motion to your limited and injured joints. Joint mobilization techniques come into play when joint structure limit the movement of your joints.
Muscle Energy Techniques reposition place an injured joint in its intended position and strengthen the muscles around it. Patients contract their muscles against some form of resistance. Over time, the range of motion improves with strength.
Thrust Techniques are repetitive, quick movements that apply pressure to the injured joint. They help to restore the natural motion of the joints when they move out of sync.
Need More Information?
The best manual therapy programs involve the use of hands-on techniques, physical exercises, and even technological tools. Our trained therapists can assess your injuries and know the correct amount of pressure to apply, the muscles and anatomy involved, and the best approach to reduce inflammation and pain. If you want to move better or be free of pain, schedule an appointment with our staff today.
