Have you recently sustained an injury, undergone a surgery, or been diagnosed with an illness that’s causing you pain? If so, it is likely that you would benefit from manual physical therapy.
Our Bellevue, WA physical therapists have several techniques to relieve your pain, while simultaneously improving your body’s function. If you are seeking relief and recovery, contact Eastside Sports Rehabilitation Clinic today to set up a consultation!
Is manual therapy safe?
We’d first like to ease your mind by saying YES – manual therapy is extremely safe! Manual therapy is non-invasive and it does not require any harmful medications. Instead, our licensed physical therapists use a variety of techniques that help move your tendons, ligaments, and joints in ways that focus on pain relief and healing. They also help in minimizing swelling and reducing scar tissue.
Our Bellevue, WA physical therapists are highly-trained medical professionals who understand both the capabilities and limitations of your body. In fact, you may notice relief and/or improvement after just one session of manual therapy!
What exactly is manual therapy?
Manual therapy is a specialized physical therapy treatment that allows certified physical therapists to manipulate joints and soft tissue with nothing more than their hands. That’s right – no intimidating equipment or machines, just hands. This form of treatment helps in relieving pain, decreasing restriction, mobilizing joints, reducing swelling, and increasing your range of motion.
What are the different types of manual physical therapy?
There are several different types of manual therapy. Some of the most common include, but are not limited to:
- Massage – When you participate in physical therapy massage treatments, they may seem a little different than those you might receive at a spa. Physical therapy massages are meant to be more therapeutic in nature, rather than relaxing. Our Bellevue, WA physical therapists use massage treatments as a way to manipulate the soft tissues, in order to break up any scar tissue or adhesions in the affected body part. This is done through deep pressure and rhythmic stretching, allowing the physical therapist to find and mobilize areas of your body that are heavily restricted.
- Manual traction – When our physical therapists perform manual traction, they will apply a gentle force to a certain area of the body, in order to stretch it out. The neck is the most common part of the body to receive manual traction treatments; however, it is possible that your physical therapist may recommend manual traction on other parts of the body as well. To treat neck pain with manual traction, your physical therapist will have you lie down on your back, and then they will gently take the base of your skull in one hand and your chin in the other, in order to stretch the spaces between your vertebrae. This is typically done for 5-10 seconds at a time.
- Mobilization/manipulation – You may experience severe pain after an injury as a result of a restricted joint. Our physical therapists are trained in loosening restricted joints by applying pressure at a low velocity. Mobilization and manipulation techniques are painless, safe, effective. They also allow for an increased range of motion, in addition to the breakdown of the joint’s barrier.
Is manual therapy right for me?
Our Bellevue, WA physical therapists are highly trained in diagnosing and treating movement disorders. Manual therapy is a crucial part of a recovery plan, as it helps to minimize inflammation, reduce pain and swelling, and increase your range of motion. If you are interested in learning more about the many benefits of manual therapy, contact Eastside Sports Rehabilitation Clinic today at Bellevue, WA center! Our dedicated physical therapists will be happy to meet with you to get you moving once again.