Manual Therapy For Neck, Back & Joint Pain

What is Manual Therapy?

Without the use of tools or machinery, manual therapy is a specialized form of physical treatment that uses specific hands-on approaches. The International Federation of Orthopedic Manipulative Physical Therapists (IFOMPT) describes Manual Therapy as:

The use of dexterous hand motions to enhance tissue extensibility, expand the joint complex's range of motion, mobilize or manipulate soft tissues and joints, relax the body, alter muscle function, regulate pain, and lessen mild tissue edema, inflammation, or movement limitation.

Where Manual Therapy Began

Manual treatment has been practiced throughout the world for more than a millennium. Despite being mentioned for the first time in Europe in about 400 BCE, the parallel practice spread all around the globe.

Medical practitioners from all backgrounds started carefully studying the consequences of manual treatment in the 19th century. As the method gained acceptance, alternative health societies mostly used it to address spinal and musculoskeletal issues. Medical professionals frequently have strong opinions on the practice, either in support or against it.

Physical therapists' exploration and successful use of manual therapy led to the rapid adoption of the technique. Physical therapists now frequently complete specific manual therapy training.

A few types of movement are often used in manual physical therapy:

Soft Tissue
Physical therapists with certification frequently handle soft tissue issues. Soft tissues in the body include tendons, muscles, and nerves. Soft tissue treatment, which often incorporates massage methods, includes applying pressure to soft tissues to loosen up tense muscles, break up scar tissue, reduce inflammation, lessen discomfort, or increase circulation.

Joint Mobilization/Manipulation
Manual therapy frequently incorporates joint manipulation and mobilization to alleviate pain and assist the body in resuming normal function.

Relief from Back Pain, both Acute and Chronic
Joint manipulation and mobilization can treat chronic back pain by common issues. However, soft tissue work can treat acute back pain, which is frequently brought on by soft tissue damage.

To pull, twist, or push bones and joints into place.
This method employs measured motions shifting speed (slow to quick), force (gentle to powerful), and lengths (called "amplitude"). Join mobilization can aid in reducing discomfort in a joint and surrounding tissue, releasing tight tissues around a joint, and improving flexibility and alignment.

Manual physical therapy can be effective in helping to alleviate back pain in several ways:

Improved range of motion: Restricted mobility is a common cause of back pain, and manual physical therapy techniques such as joint and soft tissue mobilization can help increase the range of motion, reducing pain and stiffness.

Reduced muscle tension: Tight muscles can cause pain and restrict movement in the back. Manual physical therapy techniques such as trigger point release and myofascial release can help reduce muscle tension and increase blood flow to the affected area.

Improved posture: Poor posture is a common cause of back pain, and manual physical therapy can help improve posture through exercises and hands-on techniques.

Education: Manual physical therapy sessions can provide patients with education about proper body mechanics, ergonomics, and exercises to do at home to help manage and prevent back pain.

Reduced inflammation: Manual physical therapy can help reduce inflammation in the back through techniques such as manual lymphatic drainage and therapeutic ultrasound.

For the treatment of both acute and chronic back pain, manual therapy can be beneficial. Musculoskeletal diseases that affect the joints limit their range of motion, which can be uncomfortable and make it difficult to perform daily duties. Techniques used in manual therapy include easing tension and regaining mobility.

What conditions are manual therapy able to treat?

Acute and chronic back pain and other spine disorders are frequently treated using manual therapy. However, Manual physical therapy can be used for a wide range of medical symptoms, conditions, and injuries, including but not limited to the following:

• Neck pain and stiffness
• Back pain
• Headaches and migraines
• Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction
• Shoulder impingement and rotator cuff injuries
• Tennis and golfer's elbow
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Hip pain and dysfunction
• Knee pain and dysfunction
• Ankle sprains and strains
• Plantar fasciitis
• Sciatica
• Osteoarthritis
• Fibromyalgia
• Whiplash

Manual physical therapy techniques can be tailored to each patient's individual needs and can help improve the range of motion, reduce pain, and promote healing. It's essential to consult with a licensed physical therapist to determine if manual therapy is appropriate for your specific condition.

Particular Manual Therapy Methods

The therapist will thoroughly evaluate the patient's bones, muscles, and blood and nerve supply before beginning any manual therapy (or other physical therapy) procedures to guarantee that more difficulties will not arise. Depending on the evaluation findings, the physical therapist may decide to use techniques such as, but not limited to, those listed below.

Joint Mobilization
A limited joint's range of motion is increased by using joint mobilization. The painless method entails decreasing the speed and distance of movement when it enters the target joint's barrier. Because the origin of the problem is in the joint itself, joint mobilization frequently offers long-lasting relief from muscle discomfort that both rest and ice briefly alleviate. Use of this therapy approach can:

Improved Range of Motion
Manual physical therapy techniques can help improve joint mobility, leading to an increased range of motion. Joint mobilization techniques involve rhythmic movements of the joint to increase its range of motion, while manipulation techniques involve applying a quick, high-velocity thrust to the joint to increase its mobility.

Pain Relief
Joint manipulation and mobilization can help reduce pain by increasing blood flow to the affected area, reducing inflammation, and releasing endorphins, which are natural pain-relieving hormones.

Increased Joint Lubrication
Joint mobilization techniques can help increase the production of synovial fluid, a natural lubricant for the joints. This can help reduce friction between the joint surfaces and improve joint function.

Improved Muscle Function
Joint manipulation and mobilization can help improve muscle function by releasing tight muscles and reducing muscle spasms, improving overall joint mobility and function.

It's important to note that joint manipulation and mobilization should only be performed by a licensed physical therapist trained in these techniques who can assess whether they are appropriate for the patient's specific condition.

We at Virginian Physical Therapy & Staffing are committed to improving lives via simple, enjoyable, and successful therapy. Please don't hesitate to contact us immediately if you need assistance getting back to the life you want to lead. We always offer a personalized treatment plan from a compassionate therapist; we guarantee to listen and address the root of the problem rather than merely its symptoms.

You may look up the local clinic or a particular therapist! Alternatively, contact our staff directly via the online appointment request form. We are looking forward to speaking with you!