Manual Therapy
A comprehensive, well-rounded treatment
Manual therapy is just one part of a holistic approach I use in your physiotherapy sessions.
When you come in for treatment, I often combine manual therapy with other methods—like exercise, acupuncture, heat, or stretches—depending on what your body needs.
The goal is to give you a comprehensive, well-rounded treatment that addresses the full picture of your pain or discomfort.
Manual Therapy
Riding Mountain Manitoba
This hands-on approach isn’t just about treatment—it works best when combined with movement, exercise, and other therapies. By addressing the root cause of pain, it helps restore mobility and supports long-term recovery.
About Manual Therapy
Targeted techniques for relief
How does it work?
Manual therapy is all about gentle, controlled techniques to help your body move more freely. Here’s what you can expect:
- Joint mobilizations— This involves gently moving a joint to improve its range of motion and reduce stiffness.
- Joint manipulations— A quicker, more precise movement that restores proper function, often used for the spine or other joints.
- Soft tissue techniques— This includes things like massage or myofascial release to relieve muscle tightness and improve circulation.
- Stretching and muscle release— These techniques target tight muscles, helping to release tension and improve flexibility.
- Neural mobilizations— If nerves are irritated, this technique can help relieve that pinching, tingling, or numbness.
What to expect in a typical session?
In a session, I’ll start by assessing your specific needs—whether it’s pain, stiffness, tight muscles, or difficulty moving. Based on that, I’ll decide which modalities will be most helpful for you that day.
If manual therapy is part of the plan, I’ll use it to address tight muscles or stiff joints, usually before moving on to exercises or other techniques.
For example, I might begin by heat therapy to promote circulation and reduce pain. Then using manual techniques to loosen up a stiff joint or release tight muscles. It then could be helpful to follow up with some acupuncture to keep the muscles and joints looser for longer.
Once we’ve addressed the tissue and pain issues, I’ll guide you through specific exercises to help strengthen the muscles around the area and improve movement long-term.
Why this approach works?
The beauty of combining manual therapy with other modalities is that it tackles the problem from all angles:
- Pain relief— Manual therapy works to ease tension and restore function, while acupuncture and heat help reduce inflammation and pain.
- Improved movement— The combination of manual therapy and exercises can restore flexibility, improve strength, and correct movement patterns.
- Faster recovery— By addressing multiple aspects of your condition—tension, strength, flexibility, and pain—treatment becomes more effective and leads to quicker results.
- Prevention— By incorporating exercise and education into your treatment, you’ll learn how to maintain progress and prevent further issues from popping up.
Is this approach right for you?
If you’re dealing with pain, stiffness, or movement issues, combining manual therapy with other modalities can be a great way to get faster, longer-lasting results. Every session is tailored to your unique needs, so I’m always adjusting the treatment to what will benefit you the most.
If you’re not sure if this approach is right for you, or if you’re wondering how manual therapy fits into your overall treatment plan, feel free to ask. I’ll always explain what we’re doing and why it’s part of your recovery.
Call for a FREE Phone Consultation
Take the first step toward better health. Whether you’re seeking pain relief or overall wellness, I’m here to help you reach your goals. Let’s discuss your needs and create a treatment plan that works for you.