The Benefits of Manual Physical Therapy 

Your Trusted Philadelphia Physiotherapists Incorporate Hands-On Therapy 

When it comes to accidental injuries or chronic ailments that cause muscle pain, or issues of mobility, flexibility and range of motion, physical therapy is the most promising line of treatment.  It not only aims at reducing your pain and restoring your lost mobility, but also focuses on preventing future injuries. 

Thanks to physical therapy’s multi-pronged approach, your therapist may use a variety of interventions, including functional training, therapeutic exercises, hot/cold therapy, electrotherapy and manual therapy. Most often, they will also give you a set of home programs for a sustainable recovery. 

While exercise is one of the most critical aspects of healing, manual therapy (also called hands-on therapy), also offers various benefits during your overall recovery. Read on to know more about the advantages of hands-on therapy. 

Hands-On Therapy: The Art and Science of Healing Hands

Trained manual therapists use their hands to diagnose delicate, subtle changes in your muscles and connecting tissues, to evaluate what is causing the pain or biomechanical limitations. Based on the diagnosis, your therapist will employ different types of massage techniques: 

  • Soft-Tissue Mobilization: Soft tissues are the muscles, ligaments, fascia, nerves, tendons and all other membranes and tissues that connect, support or surround the structures and organs of your body. During soft tissue mobilization, your therapist aims to break down the adhesions that are causing inflammation or mobility issues. The mobilization techniques include:
    • Sustained pressure 
    • Deep friction massage
    • Rhythmic oscillations 
    • Unlocking spiral motions
    • Perpendicular strumming 
    • Other push or pressure motions on the specific impacted areas 
  • Scar or Fascia Mobilization: Used to address scar tissues that typically develop in an injured area after a surgery, fracture or a sprain. 
  • Joint Mobilization: This technique improves range of motion and alleviates muscle pain or tension. It includes a mild, yet prolonged stretch or oscillation in a pain free range.
  • Joint Manipulation: An advanced technique in which your therapist will apply high speed, low-amplitude thrusts to a specific joint. This is usually used for treating spinal cord injuries.

Once your therapists’ healing hands work their magic on the injured or impacted area, you will experience:

  • Increased blood flow and circulation
  • Reduced pain, inflammation or tension in the soft tissues
  • Improved mobility, flexibility and function

Whether you need to address pain, swelling or soreness of the muscles, or increase the strength, flexibility and stability of your joints, manual therapy can work wonders in your recovery and rehabilitation. At Medical Rehabilitation Centers of Pennsylvania (MRCP), we believe that the hands-on approach is the first step to recovery. Due to its heat, mobility and circulatory benefits, patients will have a greater ability to exercise the joints or muscles and enjoy long term and sustainable recovery. 

Take advantage of our direct access therapists and get started on physical therapy treatments without any delay. In addition to comprehensive evaluation and diagnostics, our licensed physical therapists are trained in the most current manual techniques to treat every individual’s specific symptoms and rehabilitation needs. 

To book an appointment for physical therapy treatment in the Greater Philadelphia area, look no further than MRCP. Contact us at the location of your choice, or fill out our online form and we will get back to you soon.