Manual therapy techniques for patients in Overland Park, KS

Manual therapy is a fundamental practice of physical therapy that uses hands-on techniques to achieve treatment goals. This approach is generally used as part of a broader physical therapy plan to relieve pain and improve mobility issues caused by a number of injuries and conditions that can affect the musculoskeletal system. Dealing with these issues can have a severe effect on your quality of life, straining your relationships and taking you away from work and your favorite activities. 

To help patients in Overland Park, Kansas, who are seeking relief through manual therapy, we’re sharing the following practical guide. As you take a moment to read this over, feel free to reach out to our team if you have questions or would like to learn more about how we can help. 

How a physical therapist performs manual therapy

As the name implies, manual therapy is a form of passive therapy that the therapist performs on the patient using his or her hands. The overall goal is to increase range of motion and flexibility in an affected part of the body through targeted movements. 

Specific techniques include: 

• Strain counterstrain — Uses targeted stretches and poses to help reset muscles and allow for healing
• Muscle energy techniques — Involves lengthening muscles and mobilizing restricted joints using voluntary contractions and controlled counterforce 
• Soft tissue mobilization — Uses rhythmic stretching and pressure to break up knots of fibrous muscle tissue
• Joint mobilization — Used by the therapist to slowly yet forcefully loosen up restricted joints to increase range of motion

It’s important to supplement any in-clinic therapy you receive with a healthy lifestyle that includes practicing proper posture, eating a nutritious diet and getting regular exercise. 

Manual therapy at SSOR Overland Park, KS

At our state-of-the-art clinic in Overland Park, manual therapy is just one of the techniques we use to help patients get back to the healthy and active lifestyle they deserve. We will perform a full clinical assessment and work with you to develop an individualized treatment plan that is right for your needs. 

Learn more and schedule your initial appointment when you contact a member of our caring and dedicated team today.