Manual Therapy
Hands-on manual therapy techniques play a pivotal role in our approach to alleviating pain, improving mobility, and promoting faster recovery and improved function. Our therapists are trained in various manual therapy methods including:
Soft tissue mobilization: This technique involves applying pressure to soft tissues such as muscles, tendons, ligaments, and fascia to improve blood flow, reduce muscle tension, and promote healing. Techniques may include massage, myofascial release, and trigger point therapy.
Joint mobilization: Joint mobilization involves gently moving the joints through their natural range of motion to improve flexibility, reduce stiffness, and alleviate pain. This technique can help restore normal joint function and improve joint mechanics.
Joint manipulation: Also known as spinal manipulation or adjustments, joint manipulation involves applying a quick, controlled force to a joint to restore mobility, alleviate pain, and improve function. This technique is commonly used to treat conditions such as back pain, neck pain, and joint dysfunction.
Manual traction: Manual traction involves applying a pulling force to the spine or limbs to decompress the joints and relieve pressure on nerves. This technique can help alleviate pain and improve mobility in conditions such as herniated discs or nerve impingement.
Manual stretching: Manual stretching techniques involve manually elongating muscles and soft tissues to improve flexibility, reduce muscle tension, and restore range of motion. These techniques may be passive (performed by the therapist) or active (performed by the patient with assistance).
Peripheral joint mobilization: This involves mobilizing joints in the arms or legs to improve joint function, reduce pain, and restore mobility. Techniques may include oscillations, sustained stretching, and accessory joint movements.
Strain-counterstrain: Also known as positional release technique, strain-counterstrain involves finding tender points in muscles or soft tissues and then positioning the body in a way that reduces tension and pain in those tissues. This technique aims to reset muscle tone and improve function.
Neuromuscular techniques: These techniques involve applying pressure to specific points on muscles or soft tissues to relieve trigger points, reduce muscle spasms, and improve neuromuscular function.
Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM): This technique involves using specialized tools, such as stainless steel instruments or plastic tools, to apply pressure and manipulate soft tissues. IASTM can help break down scar tissue, improve blood flow, and reduce pain.
- Cupping: Cupping involves placing cups on the skin to create suction. to promote blood flow, reduce inflammation, and relax muscles, to address musculoskeletal pain, muscle tension, helping relax tight muscles and reduce stiffness, making it beneficial for conditions such as back pain, neck pain, and muscle strains.
Dry Needling: Dry needling is a technique used by physical therapists to treat musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction. It involves the insertion of thin, solid needles into specific points in muscles, tendons, ligaments, or fascia known as trigger points or myofascial trigger points. The benefits include:
- Release of myofascial trigger points: The insertion of needles into trigger points can help release tight muscle bands and relieve muscle tension.
- Increased blood flow: Needle insertion may stimulate local blood flow, which can promote tissue healing and reduce inflammation.
- Modulation of pain signals: Dry needling may disrupt pain signals from the trigger points to the central nervous system, leading to pain relief.
- Relaxation of muscle spasms: By targeting trigger points, dry needling can help relax overactive muscles and reduce muscle spasms.