Manual therapy is a fundamental part of physical therapy that involves an assortment of hands-on techniques to treat patients who are dealing with pain and limited mobility. Physical therapy can help patients who are dealing with a very wide range of problems, including injuries and progressive conditions related to the natural aging process.
If you’ve been recommended to undergo manual therapy, you may have some questions about what this treatment entails and what the specific benefits are. To help, the Armor Physical Therapy team is sharing the following helpful guide. Don’t hesitate to reach out to a member of our helpful staff if you have any questions about our treatment options.
Here’s how manual therapy helps treat a broad range of injuriesManual therapy consists of specific techniques such as therapeutic massage, joint mobilization, soft tissue mobilization, strain-counterstrain and muscle energy methods. These treatments are performed on the patient by the therapist. Like other aspects of physical therapy, the overall goal of manual therapy is to restore functionality and relieve pain by using natural body movements.
Here are some of the specific benefits that these manual therapy techniques offer:
Increases blood flow — Moving and stimulating the area helps deliver nutrient-rich blood to the injured area to help the healing process.
Relaxes tense muscles — Therapeutic massage promotes a relaxation response from muscles that are often tense and spastic due to injury.
Improves range of motion — By using gentle and precise movements to activate joints and soft tissue, a therapist can restore functionality and improve mobility.
For greatest effect, manual therapy is often combined with other modes of treatment such as strength and stability exercises and active stretching. Physical therapists can also provide guidance on safely performing exercises and administering treatments at home.
Author: Sushanta Kumar Ghosh, Physiotherapy Specialist, DIU Medical Center
