Manual Therapy
Manual Therapy
Manual therapy is a clinical approach that relies on skilled “hands-on” therapy to alleviate pain and improve joint, soft tissue, and nerve mobility.
Our physiotherapist and osteopath at SWNW Osteopathy have honed their manual therapy skills during their studies and practice.
A variety of symptoms and conditions are assessed, diagnosed, and treated using manual therapy.
Benefits of Manual Therapy
Multiple health conditions can be treated using manual therapy. Some of its benefits are that it:
- Induces relaxation
- Improves tissue repair
- Reduces muscle tension
- Facilitates movement and exercise therapy
- Reduces soft-tissue inflammation
- Modulates pain
- Improves tissue stability and extensibility
- Increases joint mobility and range of motion
Techniques Used In Manual Therapy
Trigger point release
Trigger points are palpable nodules in the muscle that cause taut bands. The act of applying pressure to these taut bands in order to release or remove these nodules is referred to as trigger point release.
MRT (myofascial release technique)
It is the consistent application of pressure to myofascial tissue restriction points to allow mobility and alleviate pain.
Passive stretching
During passive stretching, a therapist positions a muscle in a lengthened position and maintains a static sustained hold for an extended period. It is the most effective type of stretching when it comes to the alleviation of pain.
Soft tissue
Soft tissue massage is the direct physical contact manipulation of soft tissues (muscles, tendons, ligaments, or fascia) (e.g. hands, forearm, elbow). In this, the therapist applies pressure with varying depths to the soft tissue.
Manual traction
The therapist applies a distraction force to a joint to allow for decompression or gapping in the joint space to allow for comfortable and painless movement.
Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM)
This therapy entails using specific tools to remove soft tissue and myofascial restrictions to enhance mobility.
Passive range of motion (PROM)
PROM therapy involves a therapist moving a client’s joint through its available range of motion without the client’s assistance.
Active assisted range of motion (AAROM)
This therapy involves a client moving a joint through its available range of motion while receiving assistance from the therapist to achieve as much range as possible.
Joint Manipulation
Joint manipulations are high-velocity, low-amplitude passive movements applied to a joint within its physiological limit, with the goal of restoring optimal motion, function, and/or pain relief.
Joint Mobilization
Joint mobilization involves skilled passive movements of varying intensities and amplitudes, applied to a joint. It is a manual therapy technique that consists of a series of skilled passive movements to the joint complex, including a small-amplitude, high-velocity therapeutic movement (manipulation), intending to restore optimal motion, function, and pain relief.