What is Manual Therapy?
Manual therapy is the skilled application of therapist applied movement to a joint either within its active motion range (called ‘mobilization’) or briefly beyond its active range of movement (called ‘joint manipulation’). Manual Therapy can involve oscillatory techniques, sustained stretching and assisted muscle energy techniques as well as the skillful application of a high velocity low amplitude thrust common with Joint manipulation.
Some common Manual therapy techniques are:
Soft Tissue Massage
Our physiotherapists use massage techniques that are similar to those of our Registered Massage Therapist Colleagues. They are used however as only a part of the treatment as a way to kneed the soft tissues, working to break up scar tissue and adhesions caused by inflammation or injury.
This can be done through varying body pressures and rhythmic movement and stretching, allowing us to find and mobilize areas of your body that are restricted. These techniques can also help to improve blood flow/circulation of the affected muscles and soft tissues.
Mobilization
As mentioned above, Mobilization is defined as the skillful application of a lower velocity and controlled force which when applied to the bones in a specific direction has the goal of improving joint motion. These motions are graded in their intensity and magnitude and specific grades of mobilization are used to treat specific conditions and an individual’s specific needs.
Mobilization techniques are safe, effective, and often painless, allowing for an increase in your range of motion, and the improvement of the restricted joint’s mobility.
Manual traction
Traction means pulling on a part of the body. Most often, traction in Orthopedic medicine uses devices such as weights and pulleys to put tension on a fractured or displaced bone or joint, such as a fractured bone or a dislocated shoulder.
Physiotherapists perform a form of manual traction by using their hands to apply a gentle force to a specific area of the body, with the goal of gently stretching the soft tissues or joint and restore a more normal, natural movement.
Is Manual Therapy safe?
It should be. Manual Therapy is a non-invasive, Drug-Free way to reduce pain and spasm while helping to improve Joint Range of Motion. When performed by trained and experienced Registered Physiotherapists the incidence of adverse events is extremely low and is much lower than commonly used drug treatments.
Thinking about giving manual therapy a try?
Our physiotherapists at Newcastle Village Physiotherapy have received extensive training in specialized manual therapy methods from the Orthopedic Division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association. There are 5 levels of training and proficiency recognized by the Canadian Physiotherapy Association and staff at our clinic have completed all 5 of these levels.
At Newcastle Village Physiotherapy the treatment of Manual Therapy can be expertly combined with appropriate exercise prescription, and other complimentary therapies we offer, as part of a goal directed personalized Plan of Care designed to meet your individual needs.
You can explore the many skills we can use to help you by further exploring the other information available in this section of the website. You can also contact us at the Newcastle Village Physiotherapy Clinic by telephone or e-mail. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have or to book an appointment today.
We would welcome the chance to assist you with your physical recovery.