Also known as hands-on physical therapy, Manual Therapies uses no devices or machines. Instead, we use our hands while performing skilled, specific techniques designed to ease pain, improve mobility, and help you obtain your goals faster. In general, manual therapies includes soft tissue work and mobilization/manipulation. Therapeutic exercise will also be recommended to avoid further injury and to correct faulty movement patterns.
When performing soft tissue work, manual therapists apply pressure to the soft tissues of the body, such as the muscles. This pressure can help relax muscles, increases circulation, break up scar tissue, and reduce or eliminate soft tissue inflammation.
Our therapists also commonly mobilize joints. Mobilization techniques assist to reduce pain, correct joint mechanics and allow for early return to exercises and daily function.
Manual Therapies often has a stigma of only being for people with serious injuries, but most people can benefit from Manual Therapy in some way. From providing simple discomfort to managing complex conditions, Manual Therapies can be an excellent option.
Manual Therapy can also act as a preventative measure, especially for active individuals who want to keep injury from derailing their lifestyle. For complex conditions, Manual Therapy is used in tandem with other services to create a personalized treatment plan.
Manual Therapy can be a helpful treatment for a wide range of issues, including:
- Muscle spasms
- Muscle tension
- Low back pain
- Neck pain and injuries
- Hip, knee, ankle and foot problems
- Frozen shoulder
- Decreased flexibility
- Post-surgical pain
- Headaches and migraines
Manual Therapy is intended to provide any combination of the following benefits:
- Modulate pain
- Improve joint range of motion
- Reduce soft tissue inflammation/swelling
- Increase blood flow
Our Manual Therapy Techniques Include:
- Trigger Point Therapy
- Active/Passive Range of Motion
- Myofascial Release
- Stretches
- Joint Mobilization
- Therapeutic Exercise
Experts estimate that upwards of ninety percent of disease is stress-related. And perhaps nothing ages us faster, internally and externally, than high stress. Manual Therapies is an effective tool for managing this stress, which translates into:
- Decreased anxiety.
- Enhanced sleep quality.
- Greater energy.
- Improved concentration.
- Increased circulation.
- Reduced fatigue.
Manual Therapies can also help specifically address a number of health issues. Bodywork can:
- Alleviate low-back pain and improve range of motion.
- Ease medication dependence.
- Enhance immunity by stimulating lymph flow—the body's natural defense system.
- Exercise and stretch weak, tight, or atrophied muscles.
- Help athletes of any level prepare for, and recover from, strenuous workouts.
- Improve the condition of the body's largest organ—the skin.
- Increase joint flexibility.
- Lessen depression and anxiety.
- Promote tissue regeneration, reducing scar tissue and stretch marks.
- Pump oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs, improving circulation.
- Reduce postsurgery adhesions and swelling.
- Reduce spasms and cramping.
- Relax and soften injured, tired, and overused muscles.
- Release endorphins—amino acids that work as the body's natural painkiller.
- Relieve migraine pain.
