Manual Therapy

Traditional therapy techniques consisting of therapeutic exercise and modalities can be extremely beneficial to a patient’s rehab; however, sometimes a different approach is necessary to address the root of the problem. Manual therapy techniques focus on joint mobilizations, soft tissue mobilizations, muscle energy techniques, myofascial release, visceral mobilizations, ASTYM, movement testing, manual stretching, nerve glides, etc. The therapist utilizes a more hands on approach to correct tissue and joint dysfunction, increase range of motion, promote relaxation, reduce inflammation, decreased pain, improve stability, enhance contractile and non-contractile tissue functioning, facilitate movement, and improve overall function.

While most diagnoses can benefit from manual techniques, those mostly seen include: low back pain, cervicalgia, disc disorders, SI joint dysfunction, spinal disorders, arthritis joint pain, tendonitis, neurological symptoms (numbness, tingling), TMJ, headaches, impaired muscle performance, and soft-tissue restrictions. As every patient is different and will benefit from a unique combination of the techniques listed, an individual plan of care is created for each patient based on the therapist’s findings during the initial evaluation and continuous re-assessments. Manual techniques tend to be more tolerable to patients and allows the intensity of therapy to be determined by the patient rather than the therapist.