Manual Therapy: Everything You Need to Know

manual therapy

It’s likely that either you or someone close to you has had to deal with physical therapy at some point in their lives. Although human bodies can be surprisingly durable in many ways, they can also be remarkably fragile in others, and people engage in physical therapy for a wide range of reasons. Whether you’re working at recovering from an injury, trying to return to your favorite sport or hobby, or simply trying to boost mobility in old age, physical therapy is something that Americans across the country are engaging in.

While most people are familiar with physical therapy as a broad idea, the specifics of manual therapy are, on average, much less well-known. In short, manual therapy is a specific kind of applied physical therapy based on applying hands-on techniques to manipulate the body. Whether you’re looking to start manual therapy at a doctor’s recommendation, a family member will be starting it soon, or if you’re just curious to learn more about physical health, read on to explore everything you’ll need to know about manual therapy.

What is Manual Therapy?

The International Federation of Orthopedic Manipulative Physical Therapists defines manual therapy as: 

“A specialized area of physical therapy for the management of neuro-musculoskeletal conditions, based on clinical reasoning, using … treatment approaches including manual techniques and therapeutic exercises. Orthopedic manual therapy …  is driven by the available … evidence and the biopsychosocial framework of each individual patient.”

In short, manual therapy is a treatment method focused on trained practitioners using knowledge of up-to-date techniques and the individual needs of each patient’s body to manipulate soft tissue, joints, and nerves to relieve pain and increase mobility. This is typically done with hands-on techniques such as massage and joint manipulation or by the practitioner guiding their patient through targeted exercise and movement.

Who Can Benefit From Manual Therapy?

People from a wide range of backgrounds seek manual therapy for various reasons. Perhaps the people most likely to seek manual therapy are athletes. They often need manual therapy for help dealing with issues such as muscle tension and/or spasms, shin splints, injuries such as sprains and strains, and more specific issues that come from playing certain sports, such as tennis or golf

Many others seek manual therapy to find relief from a wide range of issues with pain or mobility issues. Many senior citizens use it to deal with the afflictions that frequently come with aging, such as back or joint pain.

Others need it to help with recovering from surgery. Still, others will need it to loosen muscles that are so tight they contribute to headaches or pain in the neck, shoulder, or jaw. No matter the person or reason, manual therapy is always tailored to meet the specific needs of each individual patient. 

What Are the Benefits of Manual Therapy?

The most apparent benefit of manual therapy is the relief it provides to those suffering from aching bodies and recovering from injuries. For those who have not experienced it firsthand, it’s hard to believe how much a single injury or physical issue can interfere with your quality of life if left untreated.

For people seeking help with aches and pains, manual therapy can:

  • Improve Mobility — Regular manual therapy can help people move well again. By easing stiff joints through manipulation and exercise, therapy makes it easier to move joints and provides a greater range of motion. 
  • Help a Person Relax —  Relieving tension makes it much easier to unwind and begin healing as they rest and recuperate after an operation or accident.
  • Improves Mental Health — The quality of life improvement from reduced pain and increased mobility will naturally make a person feel better. Manual therapy also releases endorphins and promotes relaxation, having an overall positive effect on mental health.

Common Types of Manual Therapy

Manual therapy is generally centered around technicians using manual techniques (working with their hands), such as massage and guiding patients through routines and activities. Here are some specific examples of the most common types of manual therapy practiced:

Soft Tissue Mobilization

Often referred to simply as STM, soft tissue mobilization refers to any technique that uses selectively applied pressure and stretching to relax and release tension from stiff muscles or move fluids within the body that may be causing discomfort. STM includes a range of techniques, such as cross-friction, trigger point therapy, and strain-counterstrain, to name a few.

Joint Mobilizations

Naturally, joint mobilization techniques aim to loosen stiff joints to improve range of motion, especially in stiff or aching shoulders, ankles, backs, or knees. It’s natural to sometimes hear a small “pop” when stretching out these muscles and joints. This is a natural occurrence and doesn’t mean trouble or decrease the effectiveness of the therapy!

Active Release of Adhesions

An adhesion is a natural by-product of the recovery process. When a part of the body is injured, it becomes inflamed. The body then produces thick bands of scar tissue that join two parts together.

While some adhesions are painless and can be ignored, others will cause discomfort and stiffness. Manual therapy for this issue involves stretching the affected adhesion to the maximum comfortable extent and returning. Over time, the adhesion loosens and breaks up, allowing easy movement.

Dry Needling

Dry needling is a technique similar to acupuncture: thin, monofilament needles are inserted between specific muscles, causing them to relax and release tension. While acupuncture is ultimately a very similar technique to dry needling, the former evolved many centuries ago from traditional Chinese folk medicine and ideas.

Dry needling is a Western technique developed less than a century ago. It is based on the study of musculature. Both have benefits that apply to their very specific target uses.

Take The Next Step to Improved Health and Mobility With UpSlope Physical Therapy

Taking good care of your body as it ages or recuperates from injury is vital to enjoying a high quality of life and mobility. You can take it from the experts at Upslope Physical Therapy.

Whether you’re recovering from an injury or surgery or want to get rid of that annoying ache or pain slowing you down, speak with one of our expert manual therapists to find out how we can help improve your health and mobility.

As an active individual, staying healthy and injury-free is important to you. You make time for your workouts and training because it helps you focus, spend time with yourself, and work toward your goals.
AUTHOR

Brady Hoffmann DPT, ATC

Owner and Founder of UpSlope PT

We Help Athletes and Active Adults Quickly Recover From Pain Or Injury So They Can Stay Active And Get Back To What They Love To Do.
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