WHAT IS MANUAL THERAPY?

A clinical approach utilizing skilled, specific hands-on techniques, including but not limited to manipulation/mobilization, used by the physical therapist to diagnose and treat soft tissues and joint structures for the purpose of modulating pain; increasing range of motion (ROM); reducing or eliminating soft tissue inflammation; inducing relaxation; improving contractile and non-contractile tissue repair, extensibility, and/or stability; facilitating movement; and improving function. (Definition from American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy (AAOMPT) and American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).

Type of Manual Therapy we provide:

MOBILIZATION / MANIPULATION

This is a manual therapy technique comprised of a continuum of skilled passive movements to joints and/or related soft tissues that are applied at varying speeds and amplitudes, including a small amplitude/high velocity therapeutic movement. It is aimed at the restoration of full, painless joint function by rhythmic, repetitive, passive movements within the patient's tolerance and within the voluntary and accessory range, and graded according to examination findings. Mobilization may affect a whole vertebral region or may be localized to a single segment.
Manipulation is associated with a high velocity, low amplitude therapeutic movement.

MUSCLE ENERGY TECHNIQUE (MET)

Muscle Energy Technique is defined as a direct manipulative procedure that uses a voluntary contraction of the patient's muscles against a distinctly controlled counterforce from a precise position and in a specific direction. This is considered an active technique, as opposed to a passive technique where only the clinician does the work. In contrast to joint mobilization, this technique engages the joint restriction barrier but does not stress it. Muscle Energy Technique may also be used to lengthen shortened muscles, reduce localized edema, and mobilize restricted joints.

STRAIN-COUNTERSTRAIN

This is a passive positional procedure that places the body in a position of greatest comfort, thereby relieving pain by reduction and arrest of inappropriate proprioceptor activity that maintains somatic dysfunction. This technique is uniquely different from other manual techniques as it is considered an indirect technique as positioning occurs opposite the restricted barrier and is thus very comfortable for the patient.

SOFT TISSUE MOBILIZATION (STM) / MYOFASCIAL RELEASE (MFR)

Soft Tissue Mobilization is a restoration of med/lat muscle play, breaking fascial restrictions between muscles and decreasing hyper-tonus that is associated with muscle tightness. Specific directional manual force is used in the direction of fascial restriction. Functional STM combines active lengthening of the muscle tissue with manual work at the same time. Myofascial Release is similar to STM, but a larger area of tissue is targeted as opposed to very localized primary restrictions.