Manual Therapy
Manual therapy is a hands-on physical approach aimed at pain sensation relief and the mitigation of the symptoms and consequences of acute and chronic musculoskeletal presentations, degenerative changes. During the treatment, the therapist applies various techniques to unlock and mobilize blocked, stiff body parts with a reduced range of motion. Additional benefits may involve restoring the stability and balance of the pelvis and the spinal column. It is often mixed up with various massage therapies applying soft tissue treatment.
Manual therapy is an umbrella term for various methods and techniques aiding the body’s innate self-healing and self-regulatory abilities in recovering from reversible problems of the musculoskeletal system. Although it is rooted in ancient traditional healing and bone setting methods, manual therapy relies on modern research and science.
The treatment will always start with taking the medical history, followed by a comprehensive physical examination. This serves the purposes of providing as much information as possible, and to establish the pathway to recovery. In some cases when contraindications for manual therapy are discovered or additional information is required (i.e. an X-ray, MRI or ultrasound imaging, blood tests, etc.), the therapist will refer the patient for a specialised professional.
How Manual Therapy May Benefit You
Manual therapy can be used effectively:
- to relieve joint (spine, limb joints) mobility limitations
- to restore muscle balance
- to improve and restore joint statics
- to relieve pain
- to improve joint function
- to improve general well-being
Treatable Issues
- spine-related neck, back, and waist pain
- scoliosis
- spine-related pain radiating to the limbs, limb numbness
- disc disorders
- hip, knee, and ankle pain
- tennis elbow
- ankle, foot complaints
- mobility limitations
- headaches, dizziness of musculoskeletal origin
- frozen shoulder
- shoulder, elbow, and hand complaints
Contraindications
When manual therapy is not recommended:
- acute injury, ligament tear
- acute arthritis – septic arthritis; psoriatic arthritis; severe gout; rheumatoid arthritis in flare-up etc