Manual Therapy vs. Traditional Physical Therapy

Several people around the world struggle with musculoskeletal conditions that cause pain, restrict mobility, and limit physical functions. These conditions make it increasingly harder to perform your daily activities comfortably while causing severe pain and discomfort. As a result, people may resort to various treatment options for pain relief and restoration of physical function. Treatment options such as pain-relieving medications or surgery are either too invasive, do not address the underlying problem, or can cause further complications. However, physical therapy is a non-invasive yet very effective treatment option for these musculoskeletal conditions that interfere with the smooth running of your daily life.

Two of the most common physical therapy treatment approaches include manual therapy and traditional physical therapy. While these approaches are both under physical therapy, they may differ in their components, techniques, and treatment goals. This article explains the differences between manual therapy and traditional physical therapy, as well as when to undergo either at Carter Physiotherapy.

What is Manual Therapy?

Manual therapy is a hands-on, skilled approach to physical therapy that involves applying specific movements and techniques to the joints and other soft tissues to address musculoskeletal conditions that cause pain, restrict mobility, and limit physical function. The hands are the primary instruments during a manual therapy session. Therefore, manual therapists are typically highly trained in using their hands to apply precise movements to diagnose and treat musculoskeletal dysfunction, thereby relieving pain, improving function, and restoring mobility.

Manual Therapy Techniques

While manual therapy is a hands-on treatment method that primarily requires the skilled hands of a manual therapist, various specialized techniques may be utilized to produce the desired results. Some of the most common manual therapy techniques include:

Joint mobilization and manipulation: These are manual therapy techniques used to address musculoskeletal conditions, such as joint pain and stiffness. Joint mobilization refers to gentle, controlled movements, performed within the pain-free range of motion, to improve joint function and alignment. Joint manipulation, on the other hand, refers to controlled, quick, and forceful movements that move a joint beyond its normal range of motion to treat joint restrictions and stiffness and improve joint mobility.
Soft tissue mobilization: This is another manual therapy technique that involves applying targeted pressure to the muscles, ligaments, fascia, and other soft tissues of the body to enhance circulation, reduce muscle tension, and relieve pain. In addition to their hands, therapists may employ specialized instruments to apply pressure and friction to the body’s soft tissues, breaking down scar tissues and muscle knots, reducing inflammation, lengthening the muscles and tendons, improving overall range of motion, and promoting healing.
Myofascial release: The fascia is a type of connective tissue that surrounds various structures and organs, providing shape, structural support, and a framework for facilitating movement. Myofascial release is a manual therapy technique that focuses on releasing tension in the fascia through a gentle, sustained pressure massage. This manual therapy technique can address conditions such as pain, muscle tightness, and limited range of motion.
Muscle energy techniques: This form of manual therapy uses your natural muscle contractions to lengthen and relax the muscles, improving your range of motion and joint function. The muscle energy technique involves contracting a muscle for a set time against a resistance provided by the therapist to improve mobility and reduce stiffness.

These and many more are manual therapy techniques that manual therapists in Austin, TX utilize to produce effective results.

Goals of Manual Therapy

The following are the primary goals of manual therapy in Austin:

Pain relief: Manual therapy addresses underlying issues that trigger musculoskeletal conditions to treat musculoskeletal pain. Manual therapy techniques, such as soft tissue manipulation, joint mobilization, and myofascial release, can reduce pain by improving blood circulation, releasing muscle tension, improving overall joint mobility, and managing pain signals.
Restoration of mobility: Musculoskeletal conditions cause pain and may limit or restrict movement. However, manual therapy addresses muscle imbalances and joint dysfunction to restore optimal movement patterns and improve the efficiency and coordination of movement.
Enhanced tissue repair: Manual therapy improves blood circulation, ensuring that nutrients and oxygen get to the areas that are most needed in the body. As a result, you may experience faster tissue repair due to manual therapy triggering your body’s natural healing mechanisms.
Improved physical function: Musculoskeletal conditions may cause disability, affecting your ability to perform your daily activities comfortably and independently. However, manual therapy can help you regain lost function and improve overall physical function by addressing musculoskeletal issues that may affect organs facilitiating physical function.

When is Manual Therapy Suitable for You?

Manual therapy is typically suitable for the following situations or conditions:

When you are recovering from an injury that affects your mobility and physical function
When you experience pain in your joints, muscles, and other soft tissues
If you suffer from chronic pain conditions, such as lower back pain, fibromyalgia, neck pain, etc.
If you are recovering from surgery
If you want to improve your flexibility and range of motion.

What is Traditional Physical Therapy?

Traditional physical therapy is an evidence-based physical therapy approach that focuses on restoring strength, mobility, and physical function through non-invasive components, such as exercise programs, pain management techniques, therapeutic modalities, patient education, etc. While manual therapy is a passive treatment method that primarily relies on hands-on techniques, traditional physical therapy is an active treatment method that relies on patient participation and special equipment.

Components of Traditional Physical Therapy

Like manual therapy, traditional physical therapy has components that can be utilized to achieve desired treatment goals. Some of the most common traditional physical therapy components include:

Therapeutic exercises: These refer to physical activities and movements designed by physical therapists to reduce pain, restore and improve physical function/mobility, and prevent injuries. Exercise therapy is one of the most common traditional physical therapy techniques that physical therapists utilize. It consists of customized programs that include range of motion (ROM), strength, endurance, flexibility, balance, neuromotor, and functional exercises intended to improve overall physical performance.
Gait training: This is a traditional physical therapy component that aims to help individuals recovering from surgery or who have suffered neurological issues or age-related degeneration affecting mobility, to regain and improve their ability to walk safely and efficiently, through exercises and other techniques.
Modalities: Traditional physical therapy modalities refer to a range of interventions that are intended to complement traditional physical therapy treatments to reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and promote healing. Some of the most common traditional physical therapy modalities include heat and cold therapy, ultrasound therapy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, traction, etc.
Posture training: Bad posture is a very common factor that triggers some musculoskeletal pain. Even if your musculoskeletal condition is not caused by bad posture, it may worsen it. Therefore, physical therapists typically include posture training in treatment plans to help treat musculoskeletal pain or prevent future complications.
Patient education: In addition to adminstering or recommending treatment methods, physical therapists also educate their patients on their condition, teaching them about body mechanics, ergonomics, and eveything they need to know to promote faster recovery and prevent future injury.

These are some of the most common traditional physical therapy components that ensure effective treatment.

Goals of Traditional Physical Therapy

The following are some primary goals of traditional physical therapy:

Pain management: This is one of the primary focuses of traditional physical therapy. Several non-invasive techniques, such as therapeutic exercises and modalities are used to alleviate pain.
Restoration of mobility and function: Traditional physical therapy is concerned with the promotion, maintenance, and restoration of physical health. Therefore, traditional physical therapy treats and manages conditions affecting mobility and function because they interfere with overall physical health.
Prevention of further injury and disability: Physical therapists can prevent further injury and disability in their patients by teaching them about proper body mechanics, posture, and exercise techniques.
Improvement of overall quality of life: Traditional physical therapy reduces pain, restores mobility, and improves physical function, ensuring you can maintain an active lifestyle and perform your daily activities comfortably and independently. Over time, your physical wellness improves your overall quality of life.

When is Traditional Physical Therapy Suitable for Treatment?

Traditional physical therapy for treatment and rehabilitation. The following are some of common situations and conditions that you may need traditional physical therapy for:

To assist individuals suffering from neurological conditions like stroke to regain coordination, mobility and independence.
To treat musculoskeletal injuries and provide long-term relief for musculoskeletal pain.
To manage chronic conditions that cause pain and limit mobility and physical function, such as arthritis.
To promote healing and fast recovery after surgery for the restoration of mobility and physical function.
To manage sports injuries, prevent reinjury, and enhance athletic performance.

These and many more are common applications of traditional physical therapy.

Differences between Manual Therapy and Traditional Physical Therapy

While manual therapy and traditional physical therapy share a similar scope and goals, they differ in their treatment approach, technique, and patient role. Manual therapy’s treatment approach involves hands-on manipulation of the joints and soft tissues by the therapist. Therefore, your involvement as a patient during this treatment option is primarily passive. Traditional physical therapy, on the other hand, is an exercise-based rehabilitation program that may also involve the use of specialized equipment. Therefore, patients have to actively participate in their treatment program.

Manual therapy and traditional physical therapy also differ in their primary focus. While manual therapy often focuses on providing immediate relief from pain and discomfort to restore mobility and physical function, traditional physical therapy focuses on long-term functional improvement. In addition, manual therapy usually requires shorter treatment durations with its effect manifesting almost immediately. Traditional physical therapy, on the other hand, may require longer treatment durations because it takes longer to show results.

You can decide which treatment option is best for you at a particular time based on their differences.

Conclusion

If you are dealing with chronic pain or musculoskeletal conditions that restrict mobility and physical function, you may need manual therapy or traditional physical therapy at Carter Physiotherapy.

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