Expert Manual Therapy in Merrick, NY
When people visit a physical therapist, they often expect relief from a condition that causes them pain or hinders their mobility. Say, for example, you have been experiencing lower back pain, and you visit a physical therapist, how would they help you? There are several ways to make your back pain go away, and manual therapy is one of them.
What is Manual Therapy?
Manual therapy is a hands-on approach to manipulating soft tissues, joints, and nerves to decrease pain and tissue tension and improve movement. At first glance, manual therapy doesn’t sound any different from traditional massage therapy. If you feel this way, you’re not wrong, but you’re not totally right either. Why? That’s because massage therapy is one of a few other manual physical therapy techniques.
Furthermore, physical therapists at Summit Physical Therapy are skilled clinicians who offer manual therapy among many different treatment modalities, and you won’t get this holistic therapy from a traditional massage therapist.
Benefits of Manual Therapy
The most important benefits of manual physical therapy include pain relief, improved mobility and flexibility, reduced muscle tension, improved circulation and healing, and faster recovery from injuries. How?
Manual therapy in Amityville reduces pain and discomfort by stimulating the sensory receptors in the affected area. This stimulation leads to a release of the body’s natural painkillers, popularly known as endorphins. Manual therapy also releases muscle tension, reduces muscle spasms, and increases flexibility. It restores joint function and improves the range of motion.
Improved blood flow is another common benefit of manual therapy. This procedure manipulates the soft tissues to improve blood circulation. Increased blood circulation ensures the swift delivery of oxygen and other nutrients to affected areas in the body, promoting tissue healing and reducing inflammation. Tissue healing breaks down adhesion and scar tissues that form after injuries or surgeries.
Common Conditions Treated with Manual Therapy
Physical therapists use manual therapy to treat several conditions including:
Back & Neck Pain
Back and neck pain often results from conditions like bulging intervertebral discs, muscle sprains and strains, sciatica, and poor posture. Muscle sprains and strains are common causes of back and neck pain. A sprain is a soft tissue injury when the ligaments (fibrous tissues that connect bones and joints) become overstretched or torn. Conversely, a strain is an injury to the muscles or tendons (fibrous tissues connecting the muscles to the bone).
Manual therapy is a popular hands-on method to relieve musculoskeletal pain and improve physical function, and it’s equally effective for back and neck pain.
Sports Injuries
Common sports injuries include sprains, strains, fractures, and dislocations. As an athlete, you are likely to develop a sports injury if you don't warm up adequately. Also, incorrect form during exercise or sports can put extra stress on your body, leading to injury. Other causes of sports injuries include overuse. Repeating the same movement can wear down muscles and joints. Sudden movements, such as quick stops, turns, or impacts, can result in sprains or tears.
Getting treatment after sustaining a sports injury is important because untreated injuries can worsen over time, leading to chronic pain, limited mobility, and even permanent damage. Manual therapy involves manipulating and mobilizing joints and soft tissues to relieve tension and improve blood circulation, and it helps to reduce pain and swelling in sports injuries. It also speeds up recovery time so you can return to your sporting activities on time.
Post-Surgical Rehabilitation
Whether you just had a minor or major surgery, you cannot resume your normal activities immediately. Your inability to resume your normal activities immediately after surgery is due to the pain, discomfort, and limited mobility that accompanies surgery. Post-surgical rehabilitation aims to restore joint function, muscle strength, and mobility while preventing complications after surgery. Manual therapy is one among many other techniques that physical therapists use to help people recover from surgery.
Arthritis & Joint Pain
Arthritis is a common condition, especially among older people, often due to wear and tear, autoimmune conditions and infections. This condition can cause joint pain, stiffness, and inflammation. Joint pain may come and go but may persist after resting, applying ice, or other at-home treatments. If you have arthritis and joint pain, your physical therapist can help with manual therapy. Prompt treatment can help relieve pain and prevent permanent joint damage.
Manual therapy techniques include massage, soft tissue mobilization, and joint manipulation. Your physical therapist will apply suitable techniques to painful regions in your body to improve blood circulation and relieve pain.
Headaches & TMJ Disorders
Do you suffer from headaches, grinding of your teeth, clicking of your jaw, or even ear pain? These can all be signs of Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome, also known as temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD). Multiple factors including poor posture and neck alignment, trauma, teeth grinding, and nerve inflammation contribute to the muscle tightness and dysfunction that characterize this condition.
Manual therapy techniques are effective for relaxation, stretching, and releasing tight muscles and scar tissue that characterize TMJ disorders.
Sciatica & Nerve-Related Pain
Sciatica is a nerve pain injury that affects the sciatic nerve due to injury or irritation. The sciatic nerve is the longest and thickest nerve in the body, connecting the spine to the legs. It runs through the hips and buttocks on both sides of the body, splitting into other nerves that connect to other parts farther down. Conditions that can affect the sciatic nerve include herniated discs, degenerative disc diseases, pregnancy, osteoarthritis, etc.
Manual therapy is effective in eliminating pain caused by sciatica and other nerve-related pain.
Types of Manual Therapy Techniques Used at Summit PTSoft Tissue Mobilization (Massage Therapy)
Soft tissue mobilization targets your muscles, ligaments, and fascia. Your physical therapist will apply deep pressure and stretches to relax tension, break up rigid tissue, and improve blood flow.
Joint Mobilization & Manipulation
This technique involves the application of force to your joint to improve its function. The force may be gentle, oscillating, or sudden - it all depends on the severity of your condition and the technique your physical therapist uses.
Myofascial Release
This technique involves applying gentle pressure to your myofascial tissues, the tough coverings that connect and support your body's muscles. This treatment relieves tension and pain to improve your mobility.
Trigger Point Release
Trigger point release targets the pain and tension in your muscles. Your physical therapist may use needles or other methods to relieve tension in areas with tight muscles.
Lymphatic Drainage Therapy
Lymph drainage massages encourage the flow of lymph and drainage of lymph nodes around the body. It’s often recommended for people with swollen areas due to excess fluid accumulation.
What to Expect During a Manual Therapy Session
Your first visit to a physical therapist will involve an initial assessment of your primary complaint e.g back pain. Professionals will ask questions regarding the condition, and other related health questions. They may also perform a physical examination and request for other investigations, whether bloodwork or imaging like an X-ray. After they have all this information, they can create a personalized treatment plan involving manual therapy alongside other techniques like exercises, electrical stimulation, heat and ice therapy.
The duration and frequency of recommended manual therapy sessions differ from person to person, and this is something you should discuss with your physical therapist. However, you should expect an average of 30-60 minutes for two to three sessions weekly.
Why Choose Summit PT for Manual Therapy in Merrick, NY?
At Summit PT, we prioritize individualized care at the hands of experienced and certified professionals in New York. We’re conveniently located at Merrick and Amityville, and serve these areas and the neighboring communities. It’s no wonder that our portfolio is replete with several 5 star reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) What is manual therapy, and how does it work?
Manual therapy is a hands-on approach to manipulating soft tissues, joints, and nerves to decrease pain and tissue tension and improve movement. The most important benefits of manual physical therapy include pain relief, improved mobility and flexibility, reduced muscle tension, improved circulation and healing, and faster recovery from injuries.
Is manual therapy painful?
No, manual therapy isn’t painful. Physical therapists gently apply pressure with skilled hand movements during manual therapy sessions so you don’t feel any pain. However, you may feel some discomfort, especially during the first few sessions.
How long does it take to see results from manual therapy?
Within a few weeks. Most people will notice changes in their condition after the first few sessions. The important thing is to stay committed to regular sessions and you will get your desired results.
Can manual therapy help with chronic pain?
Yes, manual therapy is effective for chronic pain like neck, back, and arthritis pain because it addresses the soft tissues and joints directly, thereby reducing pain, improving mobility, and enhancing physical function.
Do I need a referral for manual therapy in Merrick, NY?
No. You don’t need a referral for manual therapy in Merrick, NY. You can opt to walk into our center and access treatment today.
Visit us today at 209 Merrick Ave Merrick, NY, 11566, or book an appointment via Summit PT now.
