What is Manual Physical Therapy?

View all conditions and services

Manual physical therapy is a hands-on treatment involving the application of targeted pressure, stretching, and manipulation of the muscles, joints, and soft tissues of the body. There are many reasons to perform manual therapy such as reducing pain, improving mobility, and improving posture and alignment. This type of therapy is performed by a licensed physical therapist and is commonly used to treat various musculoskeletal conditions, often in conjunction with therapeutic exercise.

Here are some benefits of manual therapy:

1. Pain Relief

One of the greatest benefits of manual therapy is pain relief. Manual techniques such as soft tissue manipulation, trigger point release, and joint mobilizations can reduce pain by improving blood flow and reducing tension in the affected area.

2. Improved Range of Motion

Sometimes, restricted mobility in muscles and joints can contribute to pain and dysfunction of the body. Techniques like stretching, myofascial release, and joint mobilizations can help reduce stiffness and improve flexibility and mobility in the affected body part. Often, manual techniques will be utilized for post-surgical patients to restore motion of the affected body part.

3. Improve Posture and Alignment

Specific manual therapies called muscle energy techniques aim to improve posture and alignment of the body by using the patient’s own muscle contractions in specific directions against the resistance of the physical therapist. Patients with sacroiliac joint pain often find relief with this type of treatment.

4. Non-Invasive Treatment

Patients who suffer from chronic or severe pain will sometimes turn to procedures such as injections or surgeries to find relief. Manual therapy is a more conservative approach to treatment, which makes it beneficial to try before opting for a more invasive and costly procedure.

Manual techniques are generally an effective and safe treatment option for a range of musculoskeletal conditions by reducing pain and improving range of motion; however, manual physical therapy may not be appropriate for everyone. If you are suffering from a musculoskeletal condition, consider making an appointment for an evaluation with a physical therapist at Sheltering Arms Institute by calling (804) 764-1000 or visiting www.shelteringarmsinstitute.com/contact-us to determine whether this treatment is right for you.

Share This Post:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
RehaBlog

More Posts

Q&A: What to Expect When Facing an Upper or Lower Limb Amputation

In the United States alone, approximately 185,000 amputations occur each year, and 2 million people are living with limb loss. In recognition of Limb Loss Awareness Month, this article addresses common questions surrounding limb loss, from the reasons for amputation to returning to favorite activities following surgery. An amputation is the surgical removal of part of the body, usually an arm or leg. There are three main reasons for amputation.

The Interdisciplinary Approach in Rehabilitation to Multiple Sclerosis Care

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) affects nearly 1 million people in the United States alone. MS is an immune-mediated disease in which the body’s immune system attacks the myelin insulation that surrounds the nerves in the central nervous system. This damage causes widespread symptoms varying in severity, including fatigue, weakness, sensation loss, visual impairments, and walking and balance impairments. These symptoms of MS can impact someone’s mobility, quality of life, ability to work and provide for their family, relationships, and community participation. Because these symptoms can impact so many aspects of a person’s life, a rehabilitative care team should consist of multiple disciplines that work together to provide a collaborative, all-encompassing care plan, called interdisciplinary care.

9 Ways to Improve Sleep After a Concussion

After a concussion, there are a lot of common misconceptions about sleep. Mainly, is it safe to sleep following this mild traumatic brain injury? The answer is yes – it is okay to sleep after a concussion! This misconception stems from an out-of-date recommendation to wake the person up every hour to check on them. However, that is only if there is concern about the risk for a brain hemorrhage or bleed that wasn’t immediately apparent.

Clinical research scientist

Five Reasons to Participate in Research

During my participation in a clinical trial, I was able to learn first-hand about the process surrounding medical discoveries. I also gained an understanding of how to advocate for my health and learned to ask more questions about the risks involved in different medical treatments. Participation in research was incredibly beneficial to me personally. To help you learn more about research participation, we’ve compiled a list of 5 reasons to participate in research.

How to Measure Exercise Intensity

Target heart rate (HR) is a great way to measure exercise intensity to get the most out of your workout. For most people, it provides an accurate way to measure the safety of an activity in relation to the percentage of your maximum heart rate. However, for some people, because of several medications that regulate HR (such beta blockers) or the availability to acquire a device that monitors HR, using HR alone to measure exercise intensity can be challenging.

View All Posts

Start your Journey

Learn more about Sheltering Arms Institute

Contact a specialist at Sheltering Arms Institute to learn more about how you can gain more freedom in your everyday life.