manual therapy

Manual Therapy

Manual therapy is just like physical therapy which is used by physiotherapists, chiropractors, massage therapists, athletic trainers, and other healthcare professionals to treat musculoskeletal pain and disability. It most commonly includes kneading and manipulation of muscles, joint mobilization, and joint manipulation.

Issues Treat by Manual Therapy

Below mentioned are some of the most common conditions that manual therapy can be used for.

Back & Neck Pain: People with back and neck pain, whether chronic or recent, can benefit from manual therapy to reduce discomfort and enhance mobility. This can include conditions like herniated discs, sciatica, and whiplash.
Joint Pain: Joints that have been impacted by diseases like osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis can benefit from manual treatment by having their pain levels reduced and their function increased. This can include joints in the knee, hip, shoulder, wrist, and others.
Sports Injuries: Athletes who sustain any type of injury can benefit from manual therapy to speed their recovery.
Headaches: Some types of headaches, particularly tension headaches, and migraines, can be effectively managed with manual therapy techniques.
Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMJ): Manual therapy can be used to relieve pain and improve jaw function in people with TMJ disorders.
Fibromyalgia: Manual therapy can reduce the widespread muscle pain and tiredness associated with fibromyalgia.
Post-Operative Rehabilitation: Manual therapy after surgery, especially orthopedic surgery, can assist to increase mobility, lessen pain, and hasten recovery.
Musculoskeletal Disorders: Manual therapy can be used to treat musculoskeletal conditions.

Types of Manual Therapy

Below mentioned are some of the most common types of manual therapy.

Massage Therapy: This involves the manipulation of soft tissues in the body. Massage therapists exert pressure and knead the muscles with their hands, which can relieve the discomfort by relaxing the muscles and promoting blood flow.
Joint Mobilization: In these techniques, a therapist applies a specific amount of force to a joint to promote movement. Manipulation often involves a more forceful, quick application, while mobilization is generally slower and more controlled.
Muscle Energy Techniques (MET): This type of manual therapy involves the patient actively using their muscles on request from a specific position and in a specific direction against a distinctly executed counterforce provided by the therapist.
Myofascial Release: This technique involves applying gentle, sustained pressure into myofascial connective tissue restrictions to eliminate pain and restore motion.
Soft Tissue Mobilization: This technique involves rhythmic stretching and deep pressure. The therapist will localize the area of greatest tissue restriction and utilize specific techniques to mobilize that area.
Trigger Point Therapy: This involves applying pressure to specific points on the body (trigger points) that cause pain and discomfort. The pressure can help to relax the muscle and relieve pain.
Neuromuscular Techniques: These involve techniques that aim to treat underlying causes of chronic pain involving the muscular and nervous systems. This often includes problems with muscular "knots", trigger points, and nerve entrapment or compression.
Strain-Counterstrain: In this technique, the therapist identifies a specific point of tenderness, then positions the patient in a way that provides the greatest comfort. The position is held for a short period before gradually returning the patient to a neutral position.
High-Velocity, Low-Amplitude Thrusting (HVLAT): These are manipulative techniques commonly used by chiropractors, where a controlled, sudden force is applied to a specific joint.

Benefits

Below mentioned are some of the key benefits of manual therapy.

Pain Relief: Pain relief is one of manual therapy's main objectives. Manual therapy can aid in easing pain and suffering throughout the body by adjusting the muscles, joints, and soft tissues.
Improved Mobility & Flexibility: Manual therapy techniques often focus on improving joint movement and muscle flexibility. Individuals may find it simpler to move around and carry out everyday tasks as a result of an improvement in overall mobility.
Reduced Muscle Tension: Manual therapy techniques, like massage and trigger point therapy, can help to release tension in the muscles. This can relieve pain, improve mobility, and promote relaxation.
Increased Blood Flow: Manual therapy techniques can help to stimulate blood flow to the treated areas. This can bring more nutrients to those areas, promote healing, and help to flush out toxins.
Better Posture: By helping to improve flexibility and alignment, manual therapy can also help to improve posture.
Enhanced Healing: By promoting blood flow and reducing tension, manual therapy can help to create an optimal environment for the body to heal. This can be particularly beneficial for individuals recovering from injuries or surgery.
Improved Function: By addressing imbalances and restrictions, manual therapy can help individuals perform better in their daily activities, whether that involves sports, work, or just daily tasks.

When to Consider Manual Therapy?

You might consider manual therapy under the following circumstances.

You Have Chronic Pain: Manual therapy is frequently a useful means of treating chronic pain, especially that which affects the joints, neck, or back.
You Have Limited Mobility: If you're having trouble moving a joint through its full range of motion, manual therapy may be able to help. The causes of this range from tight muscles to dysfunctional joints.
You're Recovering from an Injury: Manual therapy can help to promote healing and restore function after an injury. This covers accidents and falls-related injuries as well as sports-related injuries including sprains and strains.
You're Recovering from Surgery: Manual therapy can play a significant role in your recovery if you recently underwent surgery, especially orthopedic surgery. It can ease discomfort, increase the range of motion, and hasten the healing process.
You Have Muscle Tension or Spasms: Manual therapy techniques like massage and myofascial release can help to relieve muscle tension and reduce the frequency and severity of muscle spasms.
You Have Postural Issues: If you're struggling with poor posture, manual therapy can help to improve alignment and reduce strain on the muscles and joints.
You're Looking to Prevent Injuries: Athletes and active individuals often use manual therapy as a preventative measure to keep their muscles and joints healthy and reduce the risk of injury.