Manual therapy

Manual therapy

Manual therapy is considered the most effective approach to treat Musculoskeletal Dysfunction. Manual Physical Therapy is any “hands-on” treatment provided by the physical therapist. Treatment may include moving joints in specific directions and at different speeds to regain movement (joint mobilisation and manipulation), muscle stretching, passive movements of the affected body part, or have the patient move the body part against the therapist’s resistance to improve muscle activation and timing. Specific soft tissue techniques may also be used to improve the mobility and function of tissue and muscles. Manual physical therapy treats acute and chronic conditions in body regions including the head, neck, back, arms and legs. When someone suffers from a neuro-musculoskeletal disorder, an exercise and movement re-education program may be all that is needed to restore the painless movement, function, and return to full activity. However, in some cases, soft-tissue and joint restrictions are present, which might result in these same exercises or movements being painful or even making the condition worse. In these instances, the therapist can provide hands-on techniques to improve mobility, reduce pain, and restore normal function of the soft tissues and joints. Following these interventions, the manual therapist can prescribe and implement the most effective individualised exercise and movement re-education program for maintaining and improving the health.The services of manual physical therapy are recommended if you have muscle, joint or soft tissue conditions that affect movement, strength, posture or cause pain. This not only includes common disorders associated with trauma, post-surgery recovery, poor posture, overuse, athletic injuries, obesity, arthritis, or congenital conditions, but also disability associated with conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, diabetes, cancer, heart disease or balance disorders. Patients suffering from chronic conditions can benefit from skilled manual therapy intervention with the goal of attaining optimal health, returning to optimal activity and minimizing disability associated with the disease progression.