Are you suffering from pain as a result of injury, illness, or surgical procedure? If so, it is likely that you would benefit from physical therapy. If you are apprehensive, let us ease your mind a bit.
We receive many first-time physical therapy patients who come in thinking their treatments will be painful, uncomfortable, or even agonizing due to the condition they are in. However, that is not the case at all! Our Bethesda physical therapists have several tools in their arsenal that are meant to relieve your pain, while simultaneously improving your body’s function. Are you looking to ease some discomfort and heal at the same time? If so, contact Graham Therapy and Fitness today to set up an appointment!
How does manual therapy work?
Manual therapy is just one tool in a physical therapist’s kit that allows them to get your joints and soft tissues moving with nothing more than their hands. This specialized form of treatment helps in reducing swelling, decreasing restriction, mobilizing joints, and increasing your range of motion. To achieve this, our physical therapist will mobilize different parts of your body through manual techniques and stretching.
Are there different types of manual physical therapy?
Physical therapy techniques may include, but are not limited to:
Muscle Energy Techniques
Muscle energy technique is a form of manual therapy in which muscles own energy is used to induce relaxation and promote pain relief. This technique is especially useful when the cause of pain and stiffness are muscles.
Myofascial release
Myofascial release helps with pain relief by easing the tension in your muscles. It is a form of massage performed by your physical therapist that focuses on specific pressure points, aimed at bringing the myofascial back to its elastic form.
Strain Counter Strain
Strain and Counterstrain (SCS) is a gentle soft tissue manipulation technique developed by Dr. Lawrence Jones D.O. over a 40 year period. This revolutionary technique, which is effective in treating pain, limitations in strength and range of motion, allows a therapist to painlessly “release” muscle and connective tissue spasm from all areas and systems of the human body.
Manual traction
When our physical therapists perform manual traction, they will apply gentle force to a certain area of the body, in order to stretch it out. The most common area that manual traction is performed on is the neck. To treat neck pain with manual traction, our physical therapists will have you lie down on your back, and then they will gently take the base of your skull in one hand and your chin in the other, thus lightly stretching the spaces between your vertebrae. This is typically done for 5-10 seconds at a time. While the neck is the most common area for manual traction, it can also be performed on other parts of the body, including the arms, legs, and back.
Massage
Physical therapy massage treatments are a little different than those you might see at a spa. These are meant to be more therapeutic in nature, rather than relaxing. Our Bethesda physical therapists use massage treatments as a way to manipulate the soft tissues, working to break up scar tissue and adhesions caused by inflammation or injury. This is done through deep pressure and rhythmic stretching, allowing them to find and mobilize areas of your body that are heavily restricted.
Mobilization/manipulation
When you experience severe pain after sustaining an injury, it is usually the result of a restricted joint. Our physical therapists are trained in loosening restricted joints by applying pressure at a low velocity. Mobilization and manipulation techniques are safe, effective, and painless, allowing for an increase in your range of motion, and the breakdown of the joint’s barrier.
How safe is manual therapy?
Manual therapy is very safe! One of the greatest aspects of manual therapy is that it is non-invasive. It also doesn’t require any harmful medications. Instead, our physical therapists use a variety of techniques that help move your tendons, ligaments, and joints in ways that relieve pain and promote healing. They also help in reducing scar tissue and minimizing swelling.
Our Bethesda physical therapists are highly trained medical professionals who understand the limitations of your body, as well as its capabilities. In fact, many patients notice improvement after just one session of manual therapy!
How will manual therapy fit into my treatment plan?
Our Bethesda physical therapists are highly trained in diagnosing and treating movement disorders. Many physicians will also prescribe physical therapy treatments for injuries, accidents, or illnesses – essentially symptoms that make you feel weak and unable to function at your normal physical levels.
Your treatment plan will likely include several different therapies, all aimed at helping a specific function of your body. Some exercises may focus on improving your balance and strength, while others may focus on increasing your range of motion. Manual therapy is a crucial part of a treatment plan. It helps to reduce pain and swelling, minimize inflammation, and increase range of motion. If you are interested in gaining the many benefits of manual therapy, contact Graham Therapy and Fitness today at Bethesda, MD! Our dedicated physical therapists will be happy to meet with you and get you moving once again.
Your Next Steps…
Request An Appointment
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Recover & Enjoy Life Pain-Free!