Orthopedic Manual Therapy
Orthopedic Manual Therapy
For physical therapists, it’s all hands on deck. Manual therapy focuses on the proper alignment of the musculoskeletal system. Manual physical therapists use this modality on soft tissue and joints including the spine that intends to modulate pain, reduce inflammation, increase flexibility, increase the range of motion and reduce restriction. The hands-on therapy is also intended to decrease edema, enhance health, remediate body functions and structures and to maintain physical performance. But, before performing any type of hands-on treatment, a physical therapist will perform a full assessment of bone and muscle and blood and nerve supply in the affected area. Depending on that assessment, a physical therapist may perform some or a combination of the following types of manual physical therapy. You can feel confident that a manual physical therapist will choose the best manual therapy for your condition. Contact Dynamic Health Physical Therapy and Wellness today.
Joint Mobilization
Usually, if you have a pulled muscle in the neck or back, you’re instructed to treat it with heat or ice. While these treatments may provide temporary relief, the pain soon returns.
With joint mobilization, the restricted joints are loosened up through manual therapy by providing amplitude and slow velocity to the affected joint. The joint is moved in a manner that the patient cannot do on their own.
Soft Tissue Mobilization
Muscles play an important role in the joints. If they are in protection, there can be muscle spasm and joint dysfunction. With soft tissue mobilization, the fibrous muscle tissue is “broken up.” Typically, this is scar tissue or adhesions.
This procedure is often applied to the musculature surrounding the spine and consists of lighter pressure and movement. A layer-by-layer assessment is done by the physical therapist to localize the affected area. All around, soft tissue mobilization has helped reduce pain and remove restricted movement in many patients.
Strain-Counterstrain
This type of manual treatment focuses on fixing abnormal neuromuscular reflexes that are causing painful tender points in muscles.
The physical therapist locates the patient’s position of comfort, holds it for 90 seconds, and a release through the spinal cord nervous system is afforded to the muscle. It’s a gentle technique for those with acute back problems or other muscular issues and is tolerated well by patients. Get rid of back/muscle pain with strain-counterstrain therapy.
High Velocity, Low Amplitude Thrusting
This manual therapy technique is a bit more aggressive than others. Its goal is to allow the joints to open and close more effectively to restore motion. The joint is taken to its restrictive barriers gently and gently thrust.
However, it does not move the joint past its anatomical limit, so there is no pain or structural damage. This technique specifically increases the range of motion. With high velocity, low amplitude thrusting, you can finally move again. This is also done with an IMT percussion tool in which the tissue is taken into restrictive barriers gently and then a gentle vibratory force is used to adjust the joint complex.
Muscle Energy Techniques
Muscle energy techniques are implemented by a physical therapist to lengthen shortened muscles and to mobilize restricted joints. A voluntary contraction is utilized against a controlled counterforce applied from the physical therapist from a specific direction and position. It’s an active procedure and well tolerated by patients.
In addition to manual therapy, those patients in pain are encouraged to also participate in other treatments, such as an exercise program. This usually includes strengthening exercises and stretching. A physical therapist will provide exercises during treatment and also provide you with home exercises. With the proper hands-on therapy and exercises, pain should be lessened and the range of motion should be restored.
If you’re in pain or have a limited activity to do a medical condition or injury, a physical therapist can be your lifesaver. Contact us at Avon, CT center to schedule an appointment for a consultation and comprehensive evaluation. Our physical therapists are certified, trained, and experienced. They’ve helped many on the road to recovery and can help you too.