MédiSport Physio

What is Manual Therapy?

Manual therapy is used as a technique by physical therapy professionals to help increase the mobility of your joints. Through mobilization or manipulation, this hands-on technique is an excellent option for those recovering from injury.

Through manual therapy, physiotherapists can help treat soft tissue injuries and decrease joint inflammation and pain. The goal is to increase your range of motion, improve function and facilitate movement.

What does Manual Therapy help to treat?

If you are experiencing and suffering from the following conditions, manual therapy may be an effective treatment for you:

Headaches
Neck pain
TMJ pain
Back pain
Shoulder pain
Ankle pain
Hip pain
Knee pain

At MédiSport Physio, our practitioners will create a tailored treatment plan to treat and alleviate your injuries or sources of pain.

What techniques are used in Manual Therapy?

Within manual therapy, practitioners will use hands-on therapy to feel tissue consistencies and to administer treatment.

Within soft tissue injuries (muscles and connective tissue-based injuries), therapists may use massage as a manual therapy technique to help to relieve your symptoms and treat your condition. Within manual therapy, soft tissue mobilization is another technique used to apply different directions of pressure to release tension within your fascia (the thin tissue that encloses muscles and organs), this, therefore, helps to increase your range of motion.

Within joint injuries, therapists may use movements of varying speed, forcefulness, and distance to correct the position of your joints and provide relief. Some practitioners may also employ muscle energy techniques to guide you through specific muscle movements. During this, they will provide resistance with their hands or body. Performed repeatedly, this encourages the lengthening of shortened or spastic muscles and can help to mobilize a restricted joint.