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Physiotherapy Treatments for Manual Workers

What is Manual Therapy?

Manual therapy refers to the assessment and treatment of cardio-respiratory, neurological, and orthopaedic problems through the use of hands-on techniques like mobilisation and manipulation. It is used to increase range of motion, reduce pain, reduce or stop inflammation, and facilitate the ease of movement.
Manual workers focus on the soft tissue and connective tissue (fascia), nerves, and enhancing joint movement with the use of low amplitude, high velocity force.

Manual therapy is based on careful examination of the movement patterns of a patient, including compensatory movements and motion restrictions that can prevent healing. The patient is continuously assessed throughout treatment and techniques are altered based on the response of the patient to the treatment given.
To restore function faster and foster an improved sense of well-being, customised manual therapy treatments are used in conjunction with physical exercise and education.

Young woman lying in the table at medical office

Manual Workers

Manual workers, also known as physical therapists, are highly educated health care providers with extensive knowledge on the use of manual therapy techniques to evaluate and treat patients.
Many different physicians and therapists use manual therapy in their practice. Manual workers can include:

  • cians.
  • Physiotherapists (physical therapists).
  • Massage therapists.
  • Chiropractic physicians.
  • Stretch therapists.
  • Occupational therapists.
  • Certified athletic trainers.
  • Rolfers (and other structural integration therapists).

Techniques Used by Manual Workers

Manual workers make use of a wide range of techniques to treat specific conditions. Manual therapy techniques can include joint mobilisations (skilled passive techniques used to improve motion and joint alignment), soft tissue techniques (used to alter tension in muscles and connective tissues), and manipulation (a high-speed and low amplitude joint mobilisation).

Soft Tissue Techniques

  • Massage
  • Soft tissue mobilisation
  • Manual lymph drainage
  • Scar mobilisation
  • Myofascial release
  • Craniosacral therapy
  • Strain counterstrain
  • Active release technique
  • Feldenkrais
  • Graston

Joint Techniques

  • Muscle energy techniques
  • Joint mobilisation
  • Joint manipulation/thrust
  • Traction
  • Mulligan techniques

Other professionals that can use manual therapy include:

  • Fitness trainers
  • Yoga
  • Pilates instructors
  • Feldenkrais practitioners

 

The latter group are primarily thought of as movement therapists but their work sometimes incorporates hands-on manual therapy to for best results.

Physical Doctor consulting with patient Knee problems Physical therapy concept

How Manual Therapy Works

Manual therapy is the use of measured movements of varying force, speed, and distance to pull, twist, and push bones and joints into alignment as well as work on soft tissues. Manual therapy improves the circulation of oxygenated blood and creates a feeling of calm.
Manual workers perform a full assessment to determine the treatment that will be appropriate for the patient.

When should I Visit a Manual Worker?

Manual workers treat acute and chronic conditions on all parts of the body. Injury can cause soft-tissue and joint restrictions that make movement painful. Manual therapy can be used to reduce pain, improve mobility, and restore the normal functioning of joints and soft-tissues.

  • Neck pain: muscle spasms, post-surgical pain, disc pathology, rib hypomobility.
  • Low back pain: disk mobility, spinal stenosis, facet joint impingement/hypomobility, disc pathology, post-surgical pain.
  • TMJ Dysfunction.
  • Thoracic spine/mid-back pain.
  • Knee pain: Patellofemoral dysfunction, IT band tendonitis, post-surgical conditions.
  • Shoulder pain: frozen shoulder/adhesive capsulitis, impingement syndrome, scapular dyskinesis, post-surgical conditions.
  • Hip pain: post-surgical hip replacements, myofascial hip pain in the lateral hip or buttock, hip impingement, hip bursitis.
  • Ankle pain: chronic ankle pain, post-surgical ankle pain, ankle sprains, ankle arthritis,
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Headaches: migraines, tension headaches.

Benefits of Manual Therapy

Manual workers use evidence-based techniques to evaluate and treat soft tissue imbalances and joint injuries. Manual therapy provides several benefits:

  • Increased range of motion
  • Improve contractile & non-contractile tissue repair,
    extensibility, or stability
  • Alleviates pain
  • Induces relaxation
  • Improves muscle function and movement patterns
  • Reduces soft tissue swelling, inflammation, or movement restriction
  • Relaxation of muscles
  • Decreased muscle spasms
  • Increased blood circulation
  • Decreased adhesion of scar tissue

Manual Therapy vs. Massage Therapy

It’s important to know the difference between manual therapies and massage therapy. This will help you make an informed choice when looking for a specialised manual worker.
Both massage therapy and manual therapy can be used as part of an overall treatment plan. However, the education and level of skill required to practice manual therapy is much more

Massage Therapy

Massage therapy is a form of manual therapy. It is the use of soft tissue manipulation (soft tissue includes all body tissues apart from the bone, which is a hard tissue). The soft tissues worked on during massage therapy are myofascial tissues, which are muscles and the surrounding fascia.Massage therapy is used to improve circulation, and promote relaxation and flexibility.
Massage therapy as a profession sometimes involves other techniques of manual therapy such as hydrotherapy, joint mobilisation, and stretching. It may also include dry needling and strengthening exercises.

Manual Therapy

Manual therapy on the other hand involves proper assessment of the body structures and the application of hands-on techniques to correct positional faults of irritated tissues and enhance the healing process. Manual workers utilise myofascial release, muscle energy techniques, soft tissue mobilisation, strain-counter strain, joint mobilisations and manipulations, and mobilisation with movement. Manual therapy is used to increase joint range of motion, assess dysfunction, decrease pain, and promote healing.

Body worker

Body worker is a term used to refer to all manual workers except massage therapists.

Energy worker

Many manual workers fall under the general category of energy workers. Energy workers use manual therapy not for the mechanical effects on the musculoskeletal tissues, but rather for the enhancement of the energy flow within the body. Acupuncturists could be said to apply manual therapy but with the use of needles.

Manual WorkersFAQ’s

Does manual therapy have any side effects?
Manual therapy can be used to treat various conditions without causing any side effects.
Will the positive results achieved through manual therapy persist?
The positive effects of manual therapy will persist if the proper techniques are indicated and accompanied by good posture, exercise, and adequate self-management.
Do I need a professional?
Manual therapy should be performed by a trained and experienced manual worker, who has an extensive knowledge of human anatomy, muscle physiology and joint mechanics. Each technique applied in manual therapy involves a wide range of distinct movements that can only be applied safely and effectively by a trained manual worker.
They consider how quickly to move, how much pressure to apply, which technique to use, and for how long.

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