Manual therapy consists of skilled “hands-on” techniques that involve passive movements of joints and soft tissue. These treatments can improve tissue extensibility, increase range of motion, and decrease pain.
Joint Mobilizations:
A hands-on technique that is used to increase joint mobility. Used to treat all joints in the upper body, lower body, and spine. This technique typically consists of gentle oscillations performed at the joint line at various ranges and speeds.
Often used in the treatment of:
- Frozen shoulder
- Low back pain
- Knee pain
Soft Tissue Mobilization:
STM consists of many specialized hands-on techniques that are used to treat chronic and acute conditions here at In Motion Physical Therapy.
Myofascial Release: A technique that involves the application of gentle sustained pressure with the intention to release soft tissue from the abnormal grip of tight fascia (connective tissue surrounding all muscles) in order to eliminate pain and restore motion.
Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization: IASTM is one of the various skilled hands-on techniques used at In Motion PT to treat soft tissue restrictions. The technique involves different types of handheld tools that can be used on muscles, tendons, ligaments, and surrounding fascia. It allows for deeper penetration of tissue combined with a vibration sense depending on the tool utilized. This can lead to decreased pain and improved muscle flexibility and/or joint range of motion.
Gua-Sha: Also sometimes known as ‘scraping’, is an instrument-assisted healing technique that combines principles of eastern and western medicine. Gua-Sha typically involves a smooth-edged tool made of jade or obsidian that is moved across the skin near an area of pain with the goal of increasing blood flow. Often times this movement leads to a decrease in pain, allowing for increased mobility.
Can be beneficial in the treatment of:
- Chronic joint pain such as arthritis
- Muscle strains including hamstring or calf tears
- Neck pain resulting from overworked or overstretched muscles
Muscle energy technique (MET):
A manually applied assisted stretching technique used for the purpose of relaxing overactive muscles and/or stretching chronically shortened muscles, thereby increasing range of motion. For example, the patient contracts a targeted muscle in a specific direction while the physical therapist applies pressure against the muscle.
Can address impairments including:
- Hip flexor tightness
- Decreased spinal mobility
- Hamstring tightness