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How Does Manual Therapy Work?

If you’ve heard about manual therapy, you may be wondering exactly how this method works. First, it’s important to understand that manual therapy techniques in Brampton involve more than a simple massage. Advanced manual therapy requires extensive knowledge of the body, its muscles and its functions.

Applying this knowledge, those skilled in manual therapy in Brampton can apply appropriate techniques to relieve pain, assist healing from injury and reduce other health symptoms. Here’s how it works.

Manual therapy techniques in Brampton

As defined by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), manual therapy techniques in Brampton are “skilled hand movements and skilled passive movements of joints and soft tissue.” Put another way, this technique uses hands instead of machines to work on your body. The methods are used to mobilize joints, reduce pain, induce relaxation, reduce swelling and improve range of motion.

Several methods are used in advanced manual therapy in Brampton. These typically fall under two categories: chiropractic therapy and massage.

Chiropractic therapy

When applying chiropractic therapy, the specialist targets problems with the musculoskeletal system. These issues typically involve pain in the neck, back, arms or legs, as well as headaches. Chiropractic specialists often use spinal manipulation to relieve these symptoms.

Massage therapy

Massage therapists apply pressure to the body at strategic points and in specific patterns to relieve pain or restore healthy movement.

Massage techniques include kneading, vibration, compression, friction and stretching. Specialists may also employ effleurage, which is using the fingertips or palms to firmly or lightly stroke the skin. Other common methods include petrissage, which involves lifting the muscles and rolling the skin folds, and tapotement, which requires repeated striking of the body with the side of the hand.

Results

When applying these techniques to the body, specialists in advanced manual therapy in Brampton are accomplishing one or more of several goals. They are mobilizing soft tissue, stretching muscles, tendons or ligaments or otherwise manipulating, mobilizing and stabilizing various parts of the body. The goal of this manipulation is to restore proper functioning to the body, including full range of movement, strength and pain-free functionality.

In some cases, immediate improvement in your condition may occur. Other times, multiple sessions may be required to correct an issue and provide relief. It’s important to consult with an experienced physiotherapist to determine which approaches would be best for your situation and what you can expect from the therapy. Your specialist can recommend the right course of treatment and timeline for optimal results.

Let manual therapy work for you

For effective manual therapy in Brampton, contact the team at Paramount Physiotherapy & Sports Injuries Clinic. Our physiotherapists and massage therapists have been helping people feel better for more than a decade, and would love to help you feel your best. Whether you’ve recently suffered an injury or are dealing with a chronic condition, we’re ready to put our knowledge and experience to work for you. Contact us today with any questions or to schedule a consultation. Reach our friendly staff at 905-455-4488—we look forward to hearing from you!

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