What Is Hands-On Therapy and Why Is It Effective?
When you're experiencing pain, injury, or having difficulty restoring your former range of motion, you'll encounter all kinds of physical rehabilitation options. However, one of the most effective, yet somewhat misconstrued, forms of therapy is hands-on therapy, or manual therapy.
Here at State of the Art Physical Therapy in Ashburn, VA, we boast this one-on-one, hands-on approach as part of our treatment program with several treatment options because it's how we achieve the best results for our patients.
But what is hands-on therapy, and why is it so effective?
What is Hands-On Therapy?
Essentially, hands-on therapy is when trained physical therapists use their hands to palpate and treat musculoskeletal conditions manually. Instead of machines and resistance bands that offer routines by repetitive motions away from your body, manual therapy gives a connection to the tissues of your body.
In fact, it's a comprehensive term that includes many different specialized techniques that assist you with some very specific objectives:
- Mobilizing Stiff Joints
- Releasing Muscle Tension
- Boosting Circulation
- Taking Down the Pain
- Restoring Natural Movement
Key Hands-On Techniques You Might Encounter
While your therapist will personalize the techniques used to your needs and your body's reaction, here are some things you might experience during hands-on therapy at State of the Art Physical Therapy:
1. Soft Tissue Mobilization
Our therapists perform various massage strokes and pressures across your muscles, tendons, and ligaments. This is designed to decrease muscle tension, break up any scar tissue (adhesions), promote blood flow and circulation, and enable relaxation. Soft tissue mobilization targets the areas creating excess tension and those triggering trigger points that cause so much unnecessary pain and restricted range of motion.
2. Joint Mobilization
These are specific quick movements to a joint within its anatomic range. No force is applied beyond that which the joint can ultimately tolerate. Instead, the goal is to restore normal joint function and decrease pain and inflammation.
This technique restores normal joint glide and roll, increases range of motion and reduces intra-articular pain. It can also hydrate intra-articular cartilage.
3. Joint Manipulation
This is a very specific, quick thrust to a joint in order to restore normal motion. There may be a "pop" or "crack"- cavitation (release of gas bubbles from the joint fluid) that occurs during the thrust.
When a joint is worryingly "stuck," the ability to restore motion so quickly via manipulation can ease pain. This technique activates certain neural receptors that help modulate muscle tone and pain perception. We employ this technique sparingly and only when it is the perfect fit after an evaluation.
4. Myofascial Release (MFR)
This technique releases restriction in your fascia, the dense, web-like connective tissue that surrounds all your muscles, bones and organs throughout your body. The practitioner holds pressure for long durations of time over tightened fascial planes and tissues to allow release and lengthening of the tissue.
MFR restores fascial pliability, increases range of motion, and decreases pain.
5. Strain-Counterstrain
A phenomenally gentle technique to relieve muscle spasm and resultant pain. Your therapist will gently shorten the involved muscle and hold it in a pain-free position for about 90 seconds. This permits the muscle to "reset" and reduce its protective guarding.
It operates by stopping the abnormal nerve impulses that are sending a muscle into a spasm and often giving immediate relief and a muscle's ability to finally release and lengthen.
6. Muscle Energy Techniques (METs)
These involve your own muscle contractions for therapeutic gain. We will have you perform a gentle contraction of a muscle against our resistance and then a stretch.
They're a wonderful way to lengthen overly contracted muscles, ease restricted joints via mobilization, strengthen areas of atrophy, and reduce localized swelling. METs are based on the neurological feedback systems of your body in order to promote relaxation and increased range of motion.
State of the Art Physical Therapy for Hands-On Treatment in Ashburn
When searching for physical therapy in Ashburn, choosing a clinic that truly specializes in and excels at hands-on therapy will positively alter your path to recovery. At State of the Art Physical Therapy, our trained professionals offer years of trained experience and know-how with varied manual techniques to guarantee the best care for you.
We take pride in our one-on-one approach, meaning when you are in the clinic, you are always with your therapist, providing their hands-on attention and services.
Don't look for assembly line treatment plans that only skim the surface. Experience the difference hands-on physical therapy can make in your recovery!
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