Manual Therapy: Alleviating Pain and Enhancing Mobility at One on One Physical Therapy

Our physical therapy team of experts specializes in providing high-quality manual therapy to relieve pain, enhance mobility, and promote overall well-being. Whether you’re recovering from an injury, surgery, or dealing with chronic pain, our personalized approach ensures you receive the care you need to regain your strength and return to your daily activities.

Manual Physical Therapy at One on One Physical Therapy in Atlanta

Understanding Manual Therapy

What is it?

Manual therapy is a hands-on treatment approach used by physical therapists to improve the function of muscles, joints, and soft tissues. It involves skilled hand movements and passive movements that target specific areas of the body to achieve various therapeutic goals, including:

Manual Physical Therapy at One on One Physical Therapy in Atlanta

Improving tissue extensibility

Stretching and mobilizing soft tissues to enhance flexibility and range of motion.

Increasing range of motion

Helping joints move more freely and comfortably.

Inducing relaxation

Calming tense muscles and reducing stress.

Mobilizing or manipulating soft tissues and joints

Using techniques to improve joint alignment and function.

Modulating pain

Reducing pain signals through targeted techniques.

Reducing soft tissue swelling and inflammation

Decreasing swelling to promote healing.

Techniques used may include manual lymphatic drainage, manual traction, massage, joint mobilization/manipulation, and passive range of motion exercises.

The Role of Manual Therapy in Physical Rehabilitation

Physical therapists incorporate manual therapy into rehabilitation programs based on examination findings, diagnosis, and prognosis. This approach helps address issues such as:

Reducing edema, pain, spasm, or swelling

Easing discomfort and promoting healing.

Enhancing health, wellness, and fitness

Improving overall physical well-being.

Enhancing or maintaining physical performance

Supporting athletic and daily activities.

Increasing the ability to move

Restoring mobility and function.

Preventing or remediating impairment

Addressing limitations in body functions, structures, activity, and participation.

How Can MT Help Relieve Your Pain?

If you’ve recently been injured or undergone surgery and are experiencing pain, manual therapy can be a valuable component of your recovery plan. At One on One Physical Therapy, our skilled therapists use manual therapy techniques to address pain, discomfort, and mobility issues.

Addressing Concerns About Manual Therapy

It’s common for new patients to feel apprehensive about manual therapy, fearing it might be painful. However, our therapists are trained to apply techniques that are gentle and effective, focusing on relieving pain and enhancing function rather than exacerbating discomfort.

At One on One Physical Therapy in Atlanta, our therapists have a variety of tools and techniques to reduce pain while simultaneously improving your body’s function. Our goal is to help you feel better and regain your confidence in movement.

What Can Manual Therapy Do for Me?

Manual therapy is one of many therapeutic approaches available to physical therapists. It is particularly effective in:

  • Reducing inflammation: Alleviating swelling and promoting healing in affected areas.

  • Decreasing restrictions: Improving flexibility and range of motion in tight or restricted areas.

  • Enhancing range of motion: Restoring normal movement patterns in joints and soft tissues.

Our physical therapists have received extensive training in manual therapy techniques and can create a customized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.

Different Kinds of Manual Therapy

Soft Tissue Massage

While similar to a spa massage, a manual therapy massage is more therapeutically focused and medically oriented. Our therapists use massage techniques to break up scar tissue and adhesions caused by inflammation or injury. By applying rhythmic stretching and deep pressure, we can target and mobilize restricted parts of your body that may be causing pain. These techniques also improve blood flow and circulation to affected muscles and soft tissues.

Mobilization

For joints that have become restricted due to injury, our physical therapists use mobilization techniques to restore normal function. This involves applying gentle pressure to joints, which helps increase their range of motion and improve mobility. Mobilization is a safe, painless, and effective method for alleviating joint restrictions.

Manual Traction

Manual traction involves applying gentle pressure to specific areas of the body to stretch and relax soft tissues, promoting natural movement and reducing tension. The neck is a common area for manual traction, but it can also be applied to the arms, back, and legs. This technique helps relieve pressure on the spine and other joints, facilitating relaxation and improved function.

Is Manual Therapy Safe?

Yes, it is a safe, non-invasive treatment option that does not require surgery or medications. Our physical therapists use a variety of modalities and techniques to help move your joints, ligaments, and tendons in ways that promote healing and relieve pain. These procedures also help reduce scar tissue and minimize inflammation, supporting your body’s natural healing process.

Our therapists are extensively trained professionals who understand the body’s limitations and capabilities. Many patients notice significant improvements in functionality and pain reduction after just one session of manual therapy.

Will Manual Therapy Be a Part of My Care Plan?

As experts in diagnosing and treating movement disorders and pain conditions, our physical therapists will assess whether MT is appropriate for your specific situation. These disorders often occur after surgery, such as total joint replacement, where physical therapy is essential for a safe and smooth recovery.

It is common for physicians to refer patients to physical therapy following an injury, auto accident, or illness diagnosis. Anything that causes physical weakness or dysfunction may warrant a consultation with a physical therapist.

Your treatment plan may include multiple forms of therapy, all designed to restore normal function to your body. This can include exercises focused on strength, balance, and range of motion. Manual therapy is a crucial component of any treatment plan, as it effectively reduces inflammation and swelling.

Learn more about the effect manual therapy can have on a patient’s pain experience.