Improve mobility and reduce pain with manual therapy. Manual therapy is part of our well-rounded, results-oriented approach to get you back to living an active, pain-free lifestyle.
If you are experiencing pain and stiffness, our physiotherapists can help restore muscle strength and joint mobility.
What is manual therapy and how does it work?
Manual therapy is a specialized form of physiotherapy. A physiotherapist uses hands-on techniques to restore tissue extensibility and increase blood flow to areas of the body that are tense, injured or causing pain. This can include joints, connective tissues, muscles, and other soft tissues.
When used in conjunction with other treatments, like electrotherapy, acupuncture, IMS, shockwave therapy and a thorough exercise program, it is incredibly effective.
What type of manual therapy techniques do you use?
Our physiotherapists are trained to use several different manual therapy techniques. In your initial assessment, your physiotherapist will determine which type of manual therapy is right for you, this could include:
- Myofascial release: targets stiff areas within the myofascial tissue that can restrict muscle and joint movement.
- Trigger point release: used to target “knots” in soft tissue, also known as trigger points. A physiotherapist applies pressure to the trigger points to offer relief from pain and tightness.
- Vertebral/joint mobilization: a gentle movement applied to the spine or other joints to increase the range of motion and flexibility.
- Cupping: uses cups to create localized suction in areas of dysfunction to ease restrictions and pain.
At Summit Physiotherapy & Massage Therapy, we use one or more types of manual therapy to treat all conditions as part of our customized wellness packages. We adjust our treatment according to the type of injury, how old or new the injury is, and the client’s age, body type, and sensitivity.
What conditions does manual therapy treat?
Manual therapy is primarily used to reduce pain and improve mobility and joint range of motion. Anyone who has an injury, ailment or condition, whether it is acute or chronic, can be helped by manual therapy.
Here are some examples of conditions we treat using manual therapy to help relieve tension and pain:
- Acute and chronic back pain
- TMJ
- Headaches and migraines
- Joint pain and inflammation, including knee, ankle, hip, and shoulder
- Arthritis pain
- Post-surgery pain
- Soft tissue injuries
- Nerve pain/Sciatica
- Fibromyalgia
What are the benefits of manual therapy?
Manual therapy helps to reduce pain, restore ideal movement patterns, and improve range of motion. This ultimately helps clients live full, pain-free lives. Manual therapy does this by:
- Increasing and restoring extensibility and flexibility of the muscles, tendons, ligaments and connective tissue (myofascial).
- Reducing adhesions, scar tissue, and fibrosis within muscles and connective tissue.
- Restoring joint flexibility
- Increasing blood flow to the treated tissues (muscles, tendons, ligaments and connective tissue).
Find A Manual Therapy Specialist in St. Albert
Not sure which manual therapy specialist to work with? We can help! Contact our clinic today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the risks or side effects of manual therapy?
While the goal of manual therapy is to improve mobility and relieve pain, there can be some mild, short-term side effects to be aware of before you begin treatment.
- Due to the firm pressure used during manual therapy, it can be uncomfortable for clients during the treatment.
- Clients may experience some stiffness and soreness for a day or two following treatment.
- Mild bruising can occur if the client is taking blood thinners.
How do you know if manual therapy is right for you?
At Summit, we help you determine which type of manual therapy is right for you through a physiotherapy assessment.
We use manual therapy as part of almost all our treatment plans. When a client seeks treatment due to pain or dysfunction, there are always restrictions on the movement of the muscles or joints, the tension in the muscles or connective tissues, or scar and fibrotic tissue affecting the involved body part. All of these conditions can benefit from manual therapy, which is why it’s almost always included in a client’s overall wellness plan.
What is the difference between manual therapy and physical therapy?
Physical therapy is a health discipline used to treat and prevent injuries or ailments involving the muscles, joints, ligaments, nerves, bones and connective tissue.
Manual therapy is one of the many treatment techniques used in physical therapy and is a part of an overall wellness plan developed by your physiotherapist.
Ready to book a manual therapy treatment?
Live life to your full potential and enjoy your favourite activities pain-free! Contact us today for a consultation or book your appointment online.