Manual therapy, or manipulative therapy, is a physical treatment used to treat musculoskeletal pain and disability; it mostly includes soft tissue mobilization, joint mobilization and joint manipulation that helps to
- improve tissue extensibility
- reduce swelling and inflammation
- decrease pain and
- increase circulation
Manual therapy technique typically includes the three types of movements:
- Soft tissue mobilization – It is a hands-on techniques in which pressure is applied on your muscles, ligaments and fascia in order to break adhesions thus optimize your muscle function, increase blood circulation and relieve pain.
- Joint mobilization – This is a manual therapy intervention in which specific sustained or small oscillation/gliding movement is applied to the affected joint, that helps to decrease pain and improve joint function and mobility.
- Joint manipulation – Joint manipulation is the attempt to restore the full joint mobility by a single thrust movement.
Physiological effects of manual therapy
- Releases tense muscles
- Improves tissue extensibility
- Increases joint range of mobility
- Reduces swelling & inflammation
- Improves movements
- Decreases pain, increases circulation and lymphatic drainage system.