Manual therapy is a safe, effective, and non-invasive treatment method that is used by physical therapists, massage therapists, and athletic trainers. Typically, patients visit a physical therapy clinic for manual therapy when they are experiencing musculoskeletal pain. During treatment, your physical therapist may work to relieve pain with soft tissue mobilization and/or joint mobilizations. Through this type of physical therapy, our highly-trained and experienced clinician is able to implement a hands-on approach to healing. Manual therapy can be a valuable adjunct to corrective exercise as a way to reduce pain and improve range of motion and function. It is designed to help manage pain, increase range of motion of the spine and extremity joints, reduce inflammation, restore joint function and promote faster healing. At Shoreline Physical Therapy in Wilmington, NC, we value patient safety so we are careful to add manual therapy in a safe and gradual manner. We carefully monitor the patient’s response to each treatment. If you or a loved one is experiencing musculoskeletal pain, contact Shoreline Physical Therapy today to learn more about the benefits of manual therapy.
Types of Manual Therapy
One of the most common reasons for a physical therapy visit includes pulled muscles. Although many people rely on lots of rest to temporarily relieve the pain associated with a pulled muscle, it is likely that the pain will return without the help of targeted manual therapy. This is because the actual injury is most often caused by a restricted joint. With the joint mobilization technique, our physical therapist works to loosen up restricted joints with increased amplitude and the application of slow velocity. This safe, effective, and painless manual therapy treatment also helps to apply movement to the barrier of the joint and increase range of motion.
This technique is used to break up fibrous muscle tissue. Utilizing deep pressure movements and targeted rhythmic stretching, our experienced clinicians are able to localize areas in the body that have the greatest tissue restriction and mobilize the area using specific techniques.
This popular treatment method is used to help lengthen any muscles in the body that are shortened and mobilize any restricted joints that are causing pain. During treatment, the muscles are safely contracted using a controlled counterforce that our physical therapist works to apply from a specific direction. Once contracted, the joint is taken to its new barrier, resulting in almost instant pain relief. This active procedure is also pain-free and requires patient participation to get the best results.
How is Manual Therapy an Effective Part of Physical Therapy?
When safely indicated, manual therapy will be performed in order to fully restore your range of motion and abolish your pain. Manual therapy is ideal to help increase blood flow, reduce chronic pain, restore full range of motion and achieve an optimal level of overall wellness. This integral part of physical therapy treatment is safe, non-invasive, and ideal for treating patients of all ages. Contact us at our Wilmington, NC physical therapy clinic today to learn more about how we can help relieve your chronic pain symptoms and begin your journey on the road to recovery!
Your Next Steps…
Request An Appointment
Receive A Custom Treatment Plan
Work Hard and Progress In Your Recovery
Recover & Enjoy Life Pain-Free!