Exploring manual therapy techniques in Byron Center, MI

Physical therapists are skilled in a variety of techniques for reducing pain, improving strength and increasing range of motion. There are many different techniques that may be used in a treatment plan. Which techniques a physical therapist uses depends on the cause of your pain and its severity.

Many of our treatments at Advent Physical Therapy in Byron Center, Michigan, include manual therapy. This is a form of physical therapy that involves the use of the physical therapist’s hands to interact with your joints and soft tissue. Manual therapy techniques can reduce pain, improve range of motion and promote relaxation.

Types of manual therapy techniques

Our team in Byron Center specializes in multiple manual therapy techniques. Below are a few we frequently include in our treatments:

• Soft tissue mobilization — Soft tissue mobilization is a form of manual therapy that aims to break down scar tissue and tension in the muscles, ligaments and tendons. This can also help decrease the swelling that many conditions cause.
• Joint mobilization — Joint mobilization makes use of gentle pressure being applied by the physical therapist’s hands to glide the joint in a specific direction. This can help reduce pain in and around the joint and improve its range of motion.
• Strain counterstrain — Strain-counterstrain techniques involve gentle manipulations of the muscles and soft tissue to create some slack in the areas where there is tension. Generally, a physical therapist will hold your soft tissue in specific positions for several minutes until there is a release. This can reduce pain and help improve the mobility of your joints.
• Myofascial release — Myofascial release helps release tension in the fascial system of your body. The fascia is a thin band of tissue that surrounds muscles, soft tissue and organs. Tension and inflammation in the fascia can cause pain. A physical therapist can use their hands to detect the source of this pain and apply myofascial release techniques to treat it

Visit Advent Physical Therapy in Byron Center for manual therapy

If you have chronic muscle, soft tissue or joint pain that isn’t going away with rest or home medications, you may need physical therapy. One of our physical therapists in our Byron Center clinic can examine your conditions and determine which types of manual therapy are right for you. Contact our team today for more information about manual therapy or to schedule an initial appointment.