The therapy method using interventions and maneuvers performed with hands to move the locomotor system to the extent possible and to provide postural balance is called the manual therapy. Manual therapy is the form of physical therapy applied only by hands and without using any device or machine. Practitioners of manual therapy use only their hands to mitigate pain caused by muscular spasms, muscular strain and articular disfunction by manipulating the joints in the area and compressing the muscular tissue.
Manual therapy can help the treatment of some individuals lacking mobility or with articular diseases with no range of motion. Such disorders can cause pain and changes in function, posture and movement. Manual physical therapy is used to provide the patient with the possibility of moving without pain by enhancing joint mobility and reduce muscular strain. Manual therapy can provide comfort for patients with sacroiliac joint disfunction, chronic lumbar pain, acute nerve pain originating from soft tissue injuries, tension of back muscles, joint problems and ligament contractions. It has been seen that manual therapy is effective in the treatment of patients with chronic lumbar and back pain.
Your therapist will perform a detailed evaluation before starting manual therapy or any physiotherapy to determine the muscular, bone or nerve damages in the area. Then, a treatment containing one or more physical therapy methods specific for the status of the patient.
- Recovery period of the manual therapy is very short. Period of therapy is also rather short as compared to other therapies.
- Considerably effective outcomes can be achieved in manual therapy starting from the initial séance. Pain and strain are reduced while mobility is enhanced greatly.
- The success rate in manual therapy is much higher than that of other techniques. It is the most demanded physical therapy method because of this high success rate.
- The injured area is treated directly with hands in the manual therapy. No tools are devices are used in any way whatsoever.
- Lack of any adverse effects of the manual therapy is one of its most significant advantages.
Manual therapy is successfully used in the treatment of many diseases related to musculoskeletal system for long years. Manual therapy provides rather effective treatment possibilities particularly in lumbar hernia, lumbar vertebral displacement, cervical hernia, flat neck syndrome, articular problems, muscular tears, frozen shoulder, elbow and wrist problems, hip displacement, pains following hip prosthesis placement, heel spur, and foot disorders.
Purpose of manual therapy is to determine the impaired joints and misfunctioning muscles and to fix such disfunction with some maneuvers carried out. Following the positioning the patient, ensuring relaxation, mobilization, and lastly, manipulation, manual therapy is complete.
Since the physical therapy and rehabilitation specialists are capable of examining the locomotor system, assessing the diagnoses of patients in the best way, trained in neurologic, orthopedic and rheumatoid conditions, and are experts in the evaluation of muscular strength and range of motion of joints, they are the persons who will determine the manipulation applications in the best way.