What is manual therapy?

July 12, 2024

There’s nothing worse than dealing with chronic pain or discomfort in your body. We all experience aches and pains in our lives, perhaps down to injury or a long-term condition. If you suffer from pain on a daily basis, manual therapy could be the answer, but what does this involve?

What do we mean by manual therapy?

Manual therapy (MT) is a form of physical therapy that uses hands-on techniques to assess and treat soft tissues and joints. There are a wide range of treatment options available depending on the condition and level of pain

The end goal is to decrease pain and leave you feeling better and more mobile. A powerful element of a wider treatment plan, commonly coupled with exercise rehabilitation to get you back to normal activity daily life and sport performance.

Learn more about our manual therapy treatment

Benefits of manual therapy

MT aims to help:

  • Target pain and discomfort
  • Relieve stiffness
  • Improve the range of movement in your joints
  • Reduce inflammation and swelling
  • Increase tissue extensibility
  • Improve circulation
  • Increase flexibility and muscle strength

It’s similar to a regular massage, except that rather than focusing on relaxation, MT intends to treat pain and stiffness in your body.

What conditions are treated by manual therapy?

Through treatment, manual therapy can help to relieve any pain you may have in your muscles or joints, whether due to injury, or long-term condition. Some common conditions that can be treated with manual therapy include:

Manual therapy techniques

Therapists use a wide range of treatment techniques for manual therapy, including:

  • Joint mobilisation: Uses gentle movements of the joints to improve range of motion and reduce pain.
  • Soft tissue mobilisation: Uses techniques such as deep tissue massage to target muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
  • Myofascial release: Targets the fascia (connective tissue) by applying gentle pressure to release tension.
  • Trigger point therapy: Targets specific areas of muscle tension or “knots” to release tension and pain.
  • Dry Needling: Targets trigger points using thin needles to stimulate muscles and tissue.
  • Stretching: Uses manual stretching techniques like PNF stretching (proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation) to improve the range of motion.
  • Traction: Uses pulling forces to decompress joints and areas of tension including hips, spine, and shoulder.
  • Soft and Deep Tissue Massage: The classical version of a massage to sooth and mobilise muscles with the ability to work into much deeper layers as required

What is the difference between manual therapy and physiotherapy?

The main difference is in the approach. As we’ve mentioned, manual therapy is a hands-on approach, using methods like massage to manipulate and mobilise joints and tissues. Physiotherapy, on the other hand, is highly focused on diagnosing, educating about your condition and providing early intervention with some hands-on work, and exercise to help recovery of injury or surgery.

Physiotherapists use MT techniques as part of their treatment plan, but they also incorporate other methods to address the underlying cause.

At Hatt’s, we offer a range of services to help you get back on your feet, including physiotherapy and sports therapy. The treatment plan will depend on the issue. With our 100% satisfaction guarantee, you can trust that you are in good hands.

Role of a manual therapist

Their role is to assess and treat joint and soft tissue disorders through hands-on techniques. From your initial session, your therapist will work with you to develop a personalised treatment plan which targets the route of your pain.

During sessions, the therapist will apply firm, but safe pressure to massage, stretch, and manipulate the area affected. They usually do this with their hands, but they may also use tools, such as hot stone massage and rock blades. Learn more about the tools used for manual therapy

Who can benefit from manual therapy?

Whether you have a specific injury, a long-term condition like arthritis, or are recovering from surgery, MT can help to reduce pain, improve range of motion, and increase mobility.

  • Athletes looking for recovery from training or sport, help reducing injury risk or to address specific injuries hindering performance.
  • Older adults who may be experiencing joint stiffness or muscle pain due to aging. Manual therapy can look to improve their overall mobility and quality of life.
  • People recovering from injury especially for soft tissue injuries such as sprains, strains, or muscle tears. A combination of manual and physical therapy could be a suitable route for treatment.
  • People with chronic conditions such as back pain or arthritis, can ease their pain through regular manual therapy sessions. It can also be used to manage your symptoms, preventing further complications.
  • People recovering from surgery who are going through rehabilitation, and want to reduce  scar tissue formation. As you start exercising again, your body may be stiff and sore, so MT can help to speed up the healing process.

Are there any complications of manual therapy?

Just like any type of treatment, there is always a risk, however small. Some potential risks of MT include soreness, bruising, tiredness and in rare cases, injury to tissues or nerves. Each of our therapists is trained to carefully assess your condition and carry out treatments carefully to minimise any potential risks.

Manual therapy at Hatt’s

Our team of Manual Therapists in Devizes, Marlborough are here to alleviate all your aches and pains, getting you back to a pain-free and active lifestyle. Sessions start at £56, which includes 7 core services, all designed to support your healthcare needs.

We adopt a holistic approach, combining manual therapy with other treatments like physical therapy and exercise, to provide you with comprehensive care.

Whether you’re dealing with a sports injury, chronic pain, or recently had surgery, we’re here to help you every step of the way. If you’d like to book in with a member of our team, please call us on 01380 730473 or book online.

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