Manual Therapy

Manual physical therapy is a specialized form of physical therapy delivered with the hands as opposed to a device or machine. In manual therapy, practitioners use their hands to mobilize/manipulate muscle tissue (soft tissue) and joints to improve range of motion, decrease muscle tension, decrease joint dysfunction and reduce pain to allow for improved function, i.e. walking, running, standing, etc…

Below describes in more detail soft tissue work and mobilization/manipulation:

Soft tissue work, including massage, which applies pressure to the soft tissues of the body such as the muscles. This pressure can help relax muscles, increase circulation, break up scar tissue, and ease pain in the soft tissues and surrounding joints.

Mobilization/manipulation, which uses measured movements of varying speed (slow to fast), force (gentle to forceful), and distances (called ‘amplitude’) to improve motion. This can help loosen tight tissues in and around a joint, reduce pain in a joint and surrounding tissue, and help with flexibility and alignment.

While all Physical Therapists have the option to use manual therapy in their practices, many don’t spend the time or the resources to become efficient in this area of practice. However, Steele Creek Physical Therapy and Balance Center’s therapists are. The Physical Therapists at Steele Creek Physical Therapy & Balance Center are highly trained in manual therapy techniques for restoration of function.

Click here for more information on manual therapy.