6 benefits of manual physical therapy near you for pain relief

As part of your physical therapy treatment program, your practitioner may use a variety of techniques, including manual therapy. From muscle pain to joint stiffness, manual therapy can be a helpful treatment for a wide range of issues. The Performance Rehab team prioritizes patient education, so you can be as informed as possible during your treatment. In this article, we'll explore some of the benefits of manual physical therapy and how it can help relieve pain.

What is manual therapy?

Manual therapy is a hands-on technique performed by licensed physical therapists that involves applying targeted pressure to your body's muscles and manipulating your joints. The goal is to help decrease pain and restore the mechanics of those affected areas. Manual therapy is an umbrella term for several methods, such as:

• Soft tissue mobilization — Your physical therapist can use massage to relax tight muscles, alleviate tension and recirculate fluid buildup.

• Joint mobilization — Your physical therapist can move your joints in specific directions to pinpoint restrictive tissue and stretch it out.

• Trigger point therapy — Your physical therapist can release tight, hypersensitive knots in your muscles (trigger points) using manual techniques.

• Active release therapy — To release tissue tension, your physical therapist can apply pressure to an area while you actively move that body part.

6 benefits of manual therapy

Manual therapy is often part of a multifaceted PT program. Alongside therapeutic exercises and other appropriate methods, it can help you progress through your treatment plan and get back to work and the activities you enjoy. Here are some of the benefits of manual therapy:

1. It's a noninvasive physical therapy method.

One advantage of manual therapy is that it's noninvasive. It supports your PT program without surgery, needles or medications, which means your risk of side effects, infection and similar complications is lower. It also means that physical therapists can use it on a wider range of patients, like those ineligible for surgery and people seeking more conservative care as a first line of treatment.

2. It can help improve your range of motion.

If stiff joints and tight muscles are restricting your body's usual level of flexibility, manual therapy may be able to help. For instance, research shows that it may be effective in treating things like frozen shoulder, myofascial trigger points (MTPs) and other injuries that limit your range of motion. 

3. It can help reduce pain and discomfort.

From chronic low back pain to knee osteoarthritis, evidence shows that manual therapy can help alleviate pain. Just think about how you might feel after your physical therapist releases those trigger points and tight muscles that prevent your body from moving freely. 

4. It helps improve your body's posture and mechanics.

Every part of your body is connected. If your physical therapist can alleviate the symptoms of an injury through manual therapy, this can also lead to other improvements related to your gait and posture. This means that during your postsurgical PT or sports medicine program you might notice that other parts of your body no longer have to overcompensate for your injury and you can move better overall.

5. It promotes more controlled movements.

Even though it doesn't retrain your body on how to move properly, manual therapy can create a starting point for better movement patterns. For instance, reducing knee stiffness can help you engage the proper muscles every time you stand up and walk around, which helps you move with better control.

6. It helps speed up your return to everyday activity.

When you can move without feeling as much discomfort, you can focus more of your attention on other exercises that support your recovery process. Also, once you've achieved better flexibility, you may be able to progress toward more advanced stretches and exercises that support additional rehabilitative gains.

Book an appointment with Performance Rehab

If you're wondering where to find a practice that specializes in manual physical therapy near you, reach out to Performance Rehab. We proudly serve patients across the Kansas City area. 

Each patient receives a treatment plan to meet their health needs and recovery goals, which may include manual therapy, supervised exercises and other specialty services. 

Your first appointment will include a thorough evaluation, which helps us determine your goals and treatment options. We'll take the time to educate you on your condition, how each strategy can help you progress through your rehab program and any changes that may happen along the way.

Whether you're an athlete or simply want to move better, our expert team is here to guide your recovery and performance journey. Let us help you reach your peak potential — contact us or request an appointment now.