More about manual therapy
Manual therapy is a form of physiotherapy that focuses on using manual techniques to diagnose and treat musculoskeletal problems.
It is performed by a trained physiotherapist, who may use various techniques such as massage, joint mobilisation, manipulation, exercises, and other manual methods.
Manual therapy is a form of physical therapy where a physiotherapist uses their own hands as a treatment method. Physiotherapy methods are divided into manual and instrumental techniques, which include:
- high-energy laser therapy,
- extracorporeal shockwave therapy,
- TECAR therapy,
- magnetic therapy,
- electrotherapy.
How is manual therapy done?
In manual therapy, a physiotherapist uses pressure and special manual techniques to manipulate muscles, connective tissue, and joints with the aim of reducing muscle tension and improving dysfunctions of the musculoskeletal system.
At MEDICOFIT clinic, we use manual techniques as part of treatment programmes for postoperative, preoperative, and chronic painful conditions. Manual therapy has the greatest treatment effects when joints lack adequate mobility and when there are imbalances in muscle tension.
Both are a natural occurrence after orthopaedic surgeries, when joint mobility, muscle balance, and movement patterns need to be remodelled or rebuilt from scratch. Asymmetrically toned muscles and limited joint mobility are often a problem and a cause of chronic degenerative painful conditions.
What are the goals of manual therapy?
The goal of manual therapy is to restore normal joint movement and function and to reduce pain.
A therapist uses manual techniques to try to eliminate mobility restrictions and improve the stability of the affected areas.
Manual therapy is often used in the treatment of various conditions such as back pain, neck pain, joint pain, sports injuries, and other musculoskeletal problems.
It is important that manual therapy is performed by an expert with the appropriate training and expertise, as improper use of manual techniques can cause additional injuries.
Current research shows that manual therapy, especially when combined with therapeutic training, brings extremely beneficial results for patients. Therefore, manual therapy is a technique used at MEDICOFIT clinic in combination with special training during the course of treatment.
What problems do we treat with manual therapy?
Using manual techniques, a physiotherapist improves the function of joints and muscles by increasing mobility, remodelling muscle tone, and consequently correcting joint positions in body postures. The goal of manual therapy is to achieve pain-free joint movement.
Increased muscle tension is a common problem in chronic pain conditions, as we compensate due to the existing degeneration with specific movements and place excessive load on the “wrong, opposite or adjacent” muscle group, which becomes excessively tense and causes even stronger painful symptoms.
Manual techniques are often used to successfully treat:
- sacroiliac joint dysfunction,
- painful lumbar spine syndrome,
- low back pain,
- pain behind the knee,
- hip pain,
- tennis elbow,
- golfer’s elbow,
- shoulder pain,
- neck pain,
- symptoms of sciatica and groin pain.
Manual techniques at MEDICOFIT clinic include therapeutic massage, sports massage, local soft tissue mobilisation, trigger point therapy, ERGON techniques, transverse friction, and other manual techniques.
