Are you dealing with pain in your back or neck as a result of a car accident, poor posture, a sports injury, or some other reason?
More than half of Americans report having ongoing neck or back pain over the past five years.
If you are not one for managing pain with medication, you’re likely seeking other options to manage your pain. Enter manual therapy.
Manual therapy is a type of specialized physical therapy that can help with pain management. Keep reading to learn more about this pain relief therapy.
Manual Therapy Defined
Manual therapy falls under the physical therapy umbrella but it’s a method that uses specific, hands-on techniques. It’s a specialized physical therapy that doesn’t use machines or other devices.
The official definition from the International Federation of Orthopedic Manipulative Physical Therapists (IFOMPT) is as follows:
Skilled hand movements with a goal of producing some or all of the following results: improve tissue extensibility; increase range of motion of the joints; mobilization of or manipulation of soft tissues and joints; induce relaxation; change muscle function; modulate pain; and reduce soft tissue swelling, inflammation or restricted movement.
Two Kinds of Movement
Many physical therapists go to training to learn how to use manual therapy on their patients. They learn how to use their hands to put pressure on muscle tissue and to manipulate the joints in an effort to eliminate or decrease the pain that results from muscle spasms, joint dysfunction, and muscle tension.
Manual therapy uses two types of movement that involve soft tissue work and joint mobilization or manipulation.
Soft Tissue Mobilization
This is one of the manual therapy examples. A therapist will use soft tissue mobilization to “break up” fibrous muscle tissue in an effort to remove the tension from the muscles.
Consistent and repeated stretching and pressure help to loosen the muscles. It is a great technique to use when a patient has scar tissue build-up from an injury.
Joint Mobilization
Is one or more of your joints restricted and causing a decrease in your range of motion? This is where joint mobilization comes in. It’s a technique that aims to loosen the joint and increase your range of motion.
Joint mobilization has a two-fold result because it also helps relieve the muscle pain associated with the problem because the problem stems from the joint itself.
Looking for an effective way to lessen your pain? Check out our services and learn more about how our team can help you.
Explore a Manual Therapy Approach to Your Pain
Now that you know what manual therapy is and how it can help you manage your pain, find a qualified therapist and set up a consultation. Get recommendations from local friends to help you find someone you can trust to get you back on track and feeling good.
Do you like what you learned here? We have many more health-related articles under the health tab on our blog. Be sure to check them out.
