If you’re one of the many people who are considering physical therapy to treat an injury or chronic pain, you may have come across the term “manual therapy.” This can be a strange sounding term to those unfamiliar with it, but those who have had it know about its potential to improve the quality of their lives.
What is manual therapy?
Basically, manual therapy is an umbrella term for a collection of hands-on techniques physical therapists use to treat chronic conditions and injuries. Below are some of the subcategories of manual therapy that physical therapists use in many of their treatments:
- Soft tissue mobilization — Soft tissue mobilization is a manual therapy practice that aims to reduce pain and stiffness in your muscles, tendons and ligaments. It’s frequently used in treatments where scar tissue is causing your pain, but it’s useful in treating other conditions too.
Soft tissue mobilization techniques often include traction and pressure on your soft tissue to break down any scar tissue and to reduce pain and stiffness. - Joint mobilization — Pain and stiffness in the joints is a common reason to visit a physical therapist for treatment. In many treatments for joint pain, physical therapists will use joint mobilization techniques. These can reduce pain in the joint and increase its range of motion. The actual motions used in these techniques couldn’t be achieved on your own without the assistance of a physical therapist.
- Strain-counterstrain — This technique is often used to help treat tension and trigger points in muscles. It involves holding the painful joint or limb in a comfortable position and then applying mild stretching and pressure to help the muscles return to a normal position.
- Thrusting — More accurately known as high velocity, low amplitude thrusting, manual therapy thrusting techniques help improve the motion of stiff joints.
Visit Border Therapy Services in El Paso, TX, for manual therapy
Are you suffering from pain that requires the assistance of a professional? Our team members at Border Therapy Services can determine if manual therapy is a helpful treatment for you to help you enjoy a life with less pain and stiffness. Contact us today to talk to our team about manual therapy or to schedule an initial appointment.