If you are experiencing pain in your body, you may be looking for a way to find relief. Manual therapy is a type of treatment that can help you do just that. Manual therapy is a form of physical therapy that uses the hands to manipulate the tissues and joints of the body. It can help to reduce pain, improve range of motion, and increase flexibility. In this blog post, we will discuss what manual therapy is and how it can help you get back to feeling your best!
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What Is Manual Therapy?
Manual therapy is a type of physical therapy that involves using hands-on techniques to treat conditions. It is also sometimes called manipulative therapy. Many people define this therapy as a “hands-on” approach.
Manual therapy generally falls into two categories:
- Structural: This type of manual therapy is used to treat musculoskeletal conditions, such as back pain or neck pain. It involves manipulating the spine or other bones and joints.
- Soft tissue: This type of manual therapy is used to treat conditions that involve the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. It involves massage and other techniques designed to stretch and relax the soft tissues.
According to studies, this can be an effective treatment for pain. A review of studies found that manual therapy can be helpful for treating low back pain, neck pain, and shoulder pain. Another review of studies found that it can also be helpful for treating headaches.
How Does It Work?
Manual therapy is a type of physical therapy that involves using hands-on techniques to manipulate the soft tissues and joints of the body. The goal of manual therapy is to reduce pain, improve the range of motion, and help the body heal.
There are many different types of manual therapy techniques, but they all share a common goal: to improve the function of the body and help the patient feel better. During the therapy session, the therapist will use their hands to apply pressure, stretch, and move the tissues in a specific way. This can help to relieve pain, improve range of motion, and encourage healing.
Also, the techniques and types of manual therapy vary depending on the condition being treated. For example, someone with a neck injury may receive different treatment than someone with a back injury. The therapist will tailor the therapy to the specific needs of the patient.
What Are Some Manual Therapy Examples?
There are many examples of manual therapy techniques. Some common techniques include:
Joint mobilization
This is one of the most common manual therapy techniques. It involves using gentle, rhythmic movements to help improve joint range of motion and reduce pain. For example, your therapist may use their hands to gently move your knee joint through a larger range of motion. It is believed that this technique can help to reduce pain by breaking up adhesions (scar tissue) in the joint.
Joint manipulation
It is a passive movement of a joint beyond its usual range of motion, applied with a high velocity and low amplitude thrust, in order to restore normal function. The process is meant to be smooth and controlled and is often used to correct problems with alignment or range of motion. This technique can be an effective treatment for various conditions.
Myofascial release
In myofascial release therapy, practitioners use their hands to massage and stretch the connective tissue surrounding muscles in order to release tension and restore range of motion. This type of therapy can be beneficial for those suffering from chronic pain, headaches, limited range of motion, and other conditions.
Trigger point therapy
Trigger point therapy is a type of manual therapy that involves the application of pressure to specific areas of the body, called trigger points. These points are usually located in the muscles, tendons, or ligaments, and can be painful when touched. The aim of trigger point therapy is to release these points, which in turn can relieve pain and improve the range of motion.
Positional release therapy
It is a type of manual therapy that uses gentle pressure and stretching to release tight muscles and improve the range of motion. The therapist will use his or her hands to apply pressure to the affected muscle group. For example, it works through the release of myofascial tissue. This type of therapy can be used to treat a wide variety of conditions.
Each type of manual therapy has its own benefits. So, if you are considering this type of therapy, be sure to ask your therapist which would be best for you.
How Is It Different From Physical Therapy?
As manual therapy is considered a type of physical therapy, many people wonder how it differs. The main difference is in the approach. Physical therapy generally focuses on exercises and stretches to help improve the range of motion and alleviate pain. Manual therapy, on the other hand, uses hands-on techniques to manipulate soft tissue and joints.
Moreover, the stretches and exercises used in this therapy are often different from those used in physical therapy. In manual therapy, the therapist will often use shorter and more targeted exercises. These are designed to address the specific areas that are causing pain or restriction.
However, the differences between manual therapy and physical therapy are not always clear-cut. Many therapists will use a combination of both approaches to help their patients reach their goals.
Therefore, if you are considering this therapy, it is important to consult with a therapist who is experienced in this approach. They will be able to assess your needs and determine if this therapy is the best option for you.
What Conditions It Can Help With?
While there are many different types of manual therapy, they all aim to treat pain and improve function by manipulating the soft tissues and joints. Manual therapies can be used to treat a wide variety of conditions, including:
- Chronic pain
- Joint pain
- Arthritis
- Muscle spasms
- Tendonitis
- Fibromyalgia
- Migraines
- Scoliosis
These conditions are often the result of overuse, injury, or stress. By manually manipulating the soft tissues and joints, manual therapists can provide relief from pain and help improve the range of motion. More often, the studies suggest that this therapy can be used as a complement to other treatments, such as medication or physical therapy.
Therefore, if you are suffering from any of the conditions listed above, this therapy may be able to help you find relief. So, do not hesitate to discuss this option with your doctor or physiotherapist.
What Are The Benefits?
Manual therapy can offer a number of benefits, including:
- Reduced pain: It is one of the most effective ways to reduce pain, both in the short-term and long-term.
- Improved range of motion: Manual therapy techniques can help improve your range of motion, making it easier to perform everyday activities.
- Faster recovery from injury: If you have recently suffered an injury, manual therapy can speed up your recovery time.
- Prevention of future injuries: By improving your range of motion and addressing any underlying issues, manual therapy can help prevent future injuries from occurring.
- Reduced inflammation: In some cases, this therapy can help reduce inflammation, swelling, and tenderness.
- Improved circulation: Finally, this therapy can improve circulation and help deliver more oxygen and nutrients to your cells.
Overall, these benefits can lead to improved quality of life and better overall health. You should always consult with your doctor or healthcare provider before beginning any new treatment, however, to make sure it is right for you. Because manual therapy is a hands-on approach, it is important to find a therapist you trust and feel comfortable with. This will help ensure you get the most out of your treatments.
Are There Any Limitations Of Manual Therapy?
Although this type of therapy is considered to be generally safe, there are certain conditions in which it is not recommended. These include:
- An open wound
- Recently had surgery
- Have a bone fracture
- Have a hernia
- Osteoporosis
Additionally, this therapy may not be suitable for pregnant women. If you are pregnant, it is important to consult with your doctor before beginning any type of therapy.
The limitations are relatively few, which is one of the advantages of this therapy. But as with any type of therapy, it’s always best to consult with your doctor first to see if it’s right for you.
Conclusion
In conclusion, manual therapy is being increasingly recognized as an effective treatment option for a variety of conditions. This therapy works by using the hands to manipulate the soft tissues and joints of the body. This can help to relieve pain, improve range of motion, and reduce inflammation.
While it’s true that manual therapy can’t help everyone, many people do find relief from various conditions. If you are suffering from any of these conditions, this therapy may be a good treatment option for you. Talk to a qualified manual therapist to see if this type of therapy is right for you!
Physical Therapy has always been proven to help patients recover from pain. Hence, if you’re experiencing Back pain, Shoulder pain, Knee pain, Neck pain, Elbow pain, Hip pain, or Arthritis pain, a physical therapist at MantraCare can help: Book a physiotherapy session.
