Manual Physical TherapyIn Portland & Surrounding Cities
Manual physical therapy, or orthopaedic manual therapy, encompasses any hands-on techniques used to decrease pain and improve range-of-motion and flexibility to stiff joints and muscles in any part of the body, including: mobilization, manipulation, soft tissue techniques, and muscle stretching.
Both mobilization and manipulation are key components of manual therapy as they restore the power of movement to joints & associated muscles.
Manual physical therapy is based on careful examination of the patient’s movement patterns, including range of motion issues and the subsequent overcompensation that can prevent healing. Research has shown that the most effective physical therapy treatments involve a combination of customized manual therapy interventions combined with targeted exercise.
The Benefits of Manual Physical Therapy
Patients with a variety of disabilities and orthopaedic conditions may benefit from manual physical therapy. Current research confirms that manual physical therapy combined with therapeutic exercise can produce rapid pain relief and improved function in the following conditions: low-back pain, neck pain, muscle-tension headaches, hip and knee osteoarthritis, and shoulder pain.
Throughout the course of care, patients will be monitored regularly for progress and treatment plans updated accordingly.