Manual therapy is a primary modality of physical therapy. It is a skilled application of hands-on techniques by skilled clinicians to manipulate soft tissue, joints, and nerves. Manual therapy is important for multiple body systems, because hands-on manipulation can be very effective to decrease pain and tissue tension, improve quality of movement, and guide a patient through their exercises.
For example, let’s say you are having stiffness in your hip. During your sessions in the clinic, your therapist may employ manual therapy techniques like joint and soft tissue mobilization and/or massage to improve your range of motion and decrease stiffness and discomfort when you walk.
Your therapist will assign exercises and stretches that you can complete independently, but manual therapy techniques applied by a skilled therapist can take your treatment to the next level. Unfortunately, not every physical therapist will use manual therapy in your treatment – application depends on your sensitivity, your stage in the healing process, and the potential benefits of the technique.
Manual therapy can also be very effective in treating shoulder pain. There are many conditions that can cause pain or reduced function in your shoulder, especially poor posture or overuse. Exercises can get you a long way, but manual joint & soft tissue techniques are needed to restore full range of motion.
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