To restore muscle strength, balance, and flexibility, most physical therapy treatment plans include a therapeutic exercise program. However, that’s not the only treatment modality physical therapists use to alleviate pain, restore function, and get you back to doing the things you enjoy.
At Premier Spine and Sports Medicine, in Hagerstown, Maryland, Christopher D. Clark, MD, and our physical therapy team offers a number of innovative treatment options to restore health and function, including manual therapy.
Manual therapy explained
The goal of your physical therapy program is to help you get back to your active lifestyle as quickly as possible. Our experienced team of physical therapists use numerous techniques to support your ultimate functional goals.
Manual therapy is a technique that involves gentle manipulation of your joints and soft tissue by a skilled physical therapist. It’s a more hands-on approach that improves joint range of motion and flexibility, relaxes tight muscles, and improves circulation to injured tissue to enhance healing.
Who benefits from manual therapy
Manual therapy is so effective at improving health and function, it’s often used as a foundational tool for many physical therapy programs. After your initial physical therapy assessment, our skilled physical therapists determine if you might benefit from manual therapy.
We find that manual therapy is extremely beneficial to our patients suffering from chronic pain conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system, including:
- Arthritis
- Back pain
- Osteoporosis
- Knee pain
- Hip pain
You may also benefit from manual therapy if you experience muscle spasms, muscle tension, or stiff joints. We also may include manual therapy as part of your sports medicine and rehabilitation program or post-operative rehabilitation program.
What might happen during manual therapy
When it comes to what to expect during your manual therapy session, well, that depends. Our physical therapists develop personalized manual therapy programs based on your diagnosis, functional needs, and overall health.
Your manual therapy sessions may include:
- Massage therapy to relax tight muscles
- Manual lymphatic drainage to reduce swelling
- Manual traction for spinal decompression
- Mobilization to gently move joints
- Manipulation therapy to improve range of motion
- Passive range of motion to assist with joint and body movements
With manual therapy, our physical therapists may be able to reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation, as well as improve health, wellness, and fitness.
Your manual therapy may also improve tolerance to your therapeutic exercise program and accelerate your recovery.
We are dedicated to developing comprehensive treatment plans to support your body’s natural healing process and help you get back to your active life.
To learn more about manual therapy or our other treatments, contact our office by phone or book an appointment online today.