Manual Therapy

Although it is common to describe manual therapy techniques as a “massage” the differences between a therapeutic massage, and a relaxing spa-type massage are often quite vast.

Deep pressure techniques and targeted stretching are commonly used in therapeutic massage to help free up restrictions and mobilize the joints and surrounding tissues.

Our physical therapists are highly skilled at locating restricted areas that are contributing to your pain and dysfunction throughout your body. Therapeutic massage works to relax, loosen and mobilize any problematic areas, reducing your chances of developing an injury that will keep you out of the game for an extended period of time.

Your physical therapist may recommend the following types of therapeutic massage for your specific needs:

• Myofascial release. This massage frees tissues from constriction caused by distortions or fascial adhesions.
• Deep tissue massage. This type of massage loosens up your muscles and their connective tissues.
• Trigger point release. A trigger point in a muscle can impair the mobility of your soft tissue and joints, leading to pain. This type of massage targets areas of tight muscle fibers that may or may not be sensitive to touch

Joint mobilizations are manual therapy techniques used to move a joint passively. Mobilizations are applied at varying speeds and amplitudes that restore optimal joint motion, and function and/ or reduce pain.

Manipulation (aka adjustment) is a manual technique to move the joints passively through their normal motion limits. Joint manipulations help relieve joint pressure, reduce inflammation, and improve nerve function.

Spinal manipulation is an effective form of treating back pain and is performed by taking spinal joints to their comfortable limits and applying a high-velocity thrust. This technique is often used on spinal joints and focuses on reducing pressure, alleviating pain, and improving spinal mobility. Often the manipulations are accompanied by popping sounds, although they are not always needed for effective results.

While performing this type of manual therapy, your physical therapists will use a device, typically made of plastic or metal, to do the work of the hands. A skilled therapist will scrape the tool along the skin to break up adhesions and improve circulation (healing) to the area.

During this procedure, an IASTM-trained physical therapist will use specialized devices to break down connective tissue restrictions and scar tissue. Depending on your needs, your therapists will use different speeds and pressures.

A minor inflammatory response will typically occur due to the specific pressure applied to the afflicted soft tissues (i.e., muscles, tendons, or ligaments). This inflammatory response promotes the body’s natural healing mechanism, allowing you to recover and resume living your best life

Manual traction is a common treatment used for all joints in the body but most commonly with the neck or back. This technique reduces pressure in the joints (i.e., decompress the joints). It is a safe, effective way to help provide patients with pain relief and increase their joint mobility.