Move Empower Concierge Physical Therapy Austin TX
Manual therapy is a hands-on  physical therapy treatment  for the management of orthopedic conditions.

Mobile Physical Therapy: Manual Therapy

Manual therapy is a hands-on physical therapy treatment for the management of orthopedic conditions. Basically, manual therapy is for those suffering from: low-back pain, neck pain, ankle and foot pain, knee and hip pain, headaches, and shoulder pain

Mobile Physical Therapy:
Manual Therapy

Manual therapy is a hands-on physical therapy treatment for the management of orthopedic conditions. Basically, manual therapy is for those suffering from: low-back pain, neck pain, ankle and foot pain, knee and hip pain, headaches, and shoulder pain

Manual physical therapy is used by the physical therapist to diagnose and treat soft tissues and joint structures for the purpose of:

  • Restoring Range of Motion (ROM)
  • Inducing relaxation
  • Improving muscle power
  • Facilitating movement
  • Improving function and sports performance

In manual therapy, your PT will work on joint mobilization and manipulation, soft tissue mobilization, and myofascial release. Manual therapy techniques followed up by specific therapeutic and neuromuscular exercise is a key ingredient to high quality orthopedic physical therapy that will get you on the road to being pain free, long term!

physical therapy for busy business execs
Eric Finger is fellowship trained in Manual Therapy and is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy.

Ready to start your Manual Therapy journey?

Curious about manual physical therapy but not sure if it’s for you?

Check out our Seven Secrets to Ease Your Neck Pain Free PDF Download. Learn why you’re suffering with an achy neck and how to fix it with some simple, manual exercises you can do at home by yourself. Say goodbye to stiffness and headaches after sitting at your desk all day!

Studies show that Manual Therapy really does work!

“A skilled manual therapist using joint mobilization and manipulation is able to affect multiple systems within the patient. These range from improved mobility at the joint and surrounding tissues to the release of endogenous hormones (i.e endorphins) which interact with the receptors in your brain that reduce your perception of pain and trigger a positive feeling in the body. Additionally, there is evidence suggesting that manual therapy has anti-inflammatory effects by activation of receptors in the peripheral nervous system.”

This might sound like a bit of a foreign language. Let’s break it down. With Manual Therapy, physical therapists affect multiple areas of your body, not just the part they are working on currently. Through this physical therapy, your joints will move better which will release endorphins that make you happier! Plus, Manual Therapy has been found to reduce inflammation overall.

How Does Manual Physical Therapy Work?

 

Manual physical therapy is a specialized type of physical therapy that focuses on the manipulation of joints and soft tissues to improve movement, reduce pain, and speed up recovery from injury. It is a hands-on approach to physical therapy that can be used to treat a variety of conditions and ailments.

 

Benefits of Manual Physical Therapy

Current research supports that the addition of manual therapy to a specialized exercise program is more beneficial than exercise alone in the treatment of orthopedic injuries. This can reduce inflammation, stiffness, and pain in the affected area. Manual physical therapy can also help restore lost range of motion by stretching the muscles and joints, helping to improve flexibility.

 

Another key benefit of manual physical therapy is its ability to accelerate the recovery process so that patients can return to their favorite activities or sports. By helping to reduce pain, inflammation, and stiffness in the affected area, manual therapy can help people get back to their normal activities faster, reducing the amount of time they are off work or out of commission due to their injury or condition. Lastly, Austin manual physical therapy can also be used to help prevent future injuries. Through stretching, strengthening, and balance exercises, physical therapists can help strengthen weak areas and improve coordination, helping to reduce the risk of future injuries.

 

Conditions Treated with Manual PT

Our goal is to improve movement patterns, reduce pain, restore joint integrity, improve mobility and address any muscle imbalances. Manual PT is used to treat a wide range of different ailments, but here are a few of the more common ones we see:

  • Low back pain 
  • Neck pain 
  • Shoulder pain 
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome 
  • Tennis Elbow 
  • Plantar Fasciitis 
  • Joint dysfunctions 
  • Spinal Dysfunction 
  • Poor posture 
  • Discogenic pain 
  • Sports injuries 
  • Pre- and post-operative conditions 
  • Neurological conditions

 

At Move Empower Concierge Physical Therapy our fellowship trained manual physical therapists use various techniques to evaluate and treat these types of issues. We specialize in utilizing skilled manual therapy techniques including soft tissue mobilization, myofascial release, joint mobilizations, joint manipulations, muscle energy techniques and neuromuscular reeducation. With our highly trained therapists and individualized approach to patient care you can trust that you’re in good hands with us.

 

Timing of Sessions

When it comes to manual physical therapy, the amount of sessions needed and how often they should occur will depend on the individual. It is best to consult with one of our expert manual physical therapists to determine what would be the most beneficial for your particular condition. Your therapist will evaluate your situation and create a plan that best fits your needs. 

 

Generally, the timing of sessions will vary depending on the condition being treated. For example, if you are dealing with chronic pain, it is important to have regular treatments in order to maintain your quality of life. On the other hand, if you are healing from an injury, a series of treatments spread out over time may be necessary. Overall, manual physical therapy can help you get back to your normal activities quickly and safely. It is important to speak with your physical therapist to determine the right amount of sessions and frequency for your individual needs. With their guidance and expertise, you can get back to living your active lifestyle sooner.

 

Ready to feel better all around?

Hear what our patients have to say:

Ready to see if Manual Physical Therapy is right for you?

Manual Therapy FAQs

Manual therapy is a subset of physical therapy. Many people think it’s something different, but it’s actually part of the physical therapy family! In this kind of therapy, a physical therapist is more “hands-on” and works with their hands on the patient to help provide treatment. Several other techniques are more “hands-off,” where patients can do the exercises or movements themselves. Some “hands-off” methods require equipment or tools where most work is done by the patient and the physical therapist assists. Our physical therapists come equipped with all these tools, so you never have to work about bringing anything except yourself to your manual therapy appointments!

Examples of manual Therapy (“hands-on techniques”) include the following: 

  • Joint Mobilization
  • Joint Manipulation
  • Soft tissue mobilization
  • Functional mobilization
  • Active release technique (ART)
  • Massage
  • Manual lymph drainage

Studies show that manual therapy is very effective. For example, one study published in Physical Therapy Effectiveness conducted by Paolo Bizzarri and Andrea Foglia states, “Manual Therapy is an extremely effective therapeutic method in managing patients with pain and musculoskeletal disorders. Manual therapy can have a very positive effect, leading to rapid and significant improvements when properly applied in accordance with the specific clinical picture and the individual patient.

After completing your FREE discovery session phone call or virtual video chat, a physical therapist will come to you at your home or office. They will conduct a thorough evaluation to determine which course of treatment you will need. Then, you’ll set up a time for our manual physical therapist to visit you on a regular basis, and they will work with you through various exercises that are hands-on to help you work towards your pain free goals.

Get your FREE Neck Pain PDF!

We'll send you your FREE PDF immediately.

Your FREE PDF is on its way to your inbox right now. If you don't see it immediately show up, please check your spam folder.