When the musculoskeletal system becomes infirm, there are times when medication does not help. This is when manual therapy is worthwhile. It is one of the unconventional methods of treatment. It is a combination of physiotherapy and a holistic approach to the human body. Its aim is not only to relieve pain, but also to improve overall health. Find out how manual therapy can rebalance the body, improve joint mobility and impact overall health!
What is manual therapy?
Definitionsę manual therapy compiled by Internationala Federationa Orthopaedic Manual Therapists in 2004. It says that manual therapy is one of the areas of physiotherapy involving the treatment of neuromusculoskeletal dysfunctions and uses a variety of therapeutic agents and therapeutic exercises. Each therapy is different, depending on the clinical diagnosis, the type of condition and the individual needs of the person. The first element is to take a medical history and thoroughly examine the patient to determine the main problem. Then the therapy begins. Exercises are not focused on one part, the physiotherapist uses techniques that affect the whole body. If you have a problem with the musculoskeletal centre and a painful condition, it is worth going to the physiotherapy. Wrocław offers a wide variety of manual therapies.
Manual therapy - what does it help?
People face a range of problems in their physicality. Originally, manual therapy was used for spinal conditions and pain. Because of this, there was an assumption that the exercises only helped with back problems. Fortunately, this is still changing, and rehabilitation Increasingly, it is dedicated to people who have a 'pop' or ache in something and then it hurts all the time. It is very common for people whose arms, legs or fingers are numb and tingling to come to physiotherapists. Manual therapy helps athletes to perform at a higher level and others to alleviate pain. The method is recommended to treat disorders such as:
- chronic back pain;
- migraines;
- neck and shoulder pains;
- pain in the joints of the upper and lower limbs;
- postural defects;
- sleep disturbances and fatigue.
Manual therapy in Wroclaw is characterised by high quality and accessibility. The physiotherapists care for their patients, paying attention to their individual needs.
Well-known techniques in physiotherapy
In manual therapy, treatments include various techniques, below the most commonly used:
- Functional massage - is a combination of joint movement with massage and stretching of the muscle connected to the joint. It is always performed on maximally relaxed muscles, its aim being to relax the patient's tissues.
- Transverse massage - sbuys into the tissue in a direction transverse to the position of the muscle fibre or ligament. This serves to improve blood circulation in the tissues, reduce pain and stimulate anti-inflammatory processes.
- Deep-tissue massage - a treatment performed with slow movements to lengthen, relax and stretch muscles and tendons. Its purpose is to reduce the patient's pain, improve blood circulation and tissue flexibility and correct posture.
Manual therapy promotes a holistic approach to the body. After treatment, patients are given a list of exercises they should do at home and recommendations for a healthy lifestyle to improve their health.
Treatment methods
At MTS Holistic Therapy, each manual therapy is tailored to the individual patient's needs. As a result, we are able to select effective and precise treatments for musculoskeletal problems. Our therapists work with all structures of the body, including joints, ligaments and muscles. They select appropriate techniques depending on the patient's diagnosis and condition. In manual therapy, we use various methods such as traction, mobilisation and manipulation to help restore balance and improve body function.
As part of a holistic approach, MTS Holistic Therapy offers a range of effective techniques, such as functional massage, transverse massage or muscle relaxation exercises (e.g. Hold Relax with PNF or PIR), which support the recovery process. Joint and soft tissue mobilisation, both in and out of the resting position, as well as passive stretching of shortened muscles, help to restore full mobility. In addition, nerve tissue mobilisation enables the flexibility of peripheral nerves and nerve roots to be improved, resulting in an overall improvement in body function. Thanks to this comprehensive therapy, patients can expect a rapid alleviation of their complaints and an improved quality of life.
