Introduction
Manual therapy has long been employed to treat various health issues. Various types of manual therapy have been used since ancient times (Paris, 2015). The therapy involves putting pressure on muscles and manipulating joints. As its name suggests, practitioners use their hands rather than devices or machines (Bise, Piva, & Erhard, 2016). The therapy has been widely employed to treat joint dysfunction, back pain, and muscle tension. This paper provides a brief analysis of the practice with the focus on its major uses and types.
Many definitions of manual therapy have been developed. It can be referred to as “the use of skilled hand movements performed by… health professionals to improve tissue extensibility, increase range of motion, modulate pain” and even address inflammation (Bise et al., 2016, p. 85). This type of therapy involves such procedures as massage, mobilization and manipulation, deep pressure, and stretching. In order to provide high-quality services related to manual therapy, healthcare practitioners have to gain certain knowledge and experience. Paris (2015) notes that patients may have limited access to manual therapists, which is especially true for rural areas.
Numerous manual therapy techniques exist, and they are often used to treat different impairments and health issues. For instance, mobilization and manipulation are often used to treat stiffness or joint pain (Bise et al., 2016). Massage is a widely used procedure in the western world. This type of manual therapy is prescribed to people who have muscle damage. Acupressure is another practice that has gained certain popularity. It is similar to acupuncture, but physical therapists do not use needles. This technique soothes pain, increases circulation, and reduces muscle tension.
Manual therapy is within the scope of the practice of a physical therapist. At that, the incorporation of different techniques into curricula varies across states. Students gain the necessary skills and knowledge during their studies (Bise et al., 2016). State boards provide detailed guidelines that help practitioners to employ techniques effectively. Medical school graduates have to receive the corresponding license to be able to work as physical therapists. Additional certification may be required.
It is possible to consider numerous cases when manual therapy was successful. For example, an 18-year-old female diagnosed with the complex regional syndrome had mobilization-with-movement intervention (Wise, 2015). She reported a trauma she had received approximately 8 weeks before her visit. After the first session, the increase in motion, as well as the reduction of pain, were apparent. The patient received ten sessions of this technique. As a result, the patient reported no pain and displayed a 75% increase in motion. A week later, the patient addressed healthcare professionals as she had pain and decreased hypersensitivity. She had a set of sessions combined with training educating the patient to implement self-mobilization. The patient had another session of mobilization-with-movement intervention and was discharged. The technique has proved to be effective.
Conclusion
To sum up, it is possible to note that manual therapy is an effective practice that addresses various health issues ranging from motion issues to pain. Physical therapists gain skills and knowledge in medical schools. They can start their practice after they get the corresponding license. The techniques physical therapists can utilize include massage, mobilization/manipulation, acupressure and other. The use of manual therapy has proved to be effective and is commonly prescribed to patients.
References
Bise, C. G., Piva, S. R., & Erhard, R. (2016). Manual therapy. In J. D. Placzek & D. A. Boyce (Eds.), Orthopaedic physical therapy secrets (pp. 85-94). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Health Sciences.
Paris, S. V. (2015). Historical perspectives in orthopaedic manual physical therapy. In C. H. Wise (Ed.), Orthopaedic manual physical therapy from art to evidence (pp. 2-15). Philadelphia, PA: F.A. Davis.
Wise, C. H. (2015). The Mulligan concept. In C. H. Wise (Ed.), Orthopaedic manual physical therapy from art to evidence (pp. 225-247). Philadelphia, PA: F.A. Davis.