Manual Therapy is a specialization within the field of Physiotherapy that focuses on the assessment and treatment of musculoskeletal system disorders, commonly referred to as “orthopedic problems.”
In Manual Therapy, various hands-on techniques are used for both diagnosis and treatment. Each patient is treated as a unique and distinct individual, with consideration given to their particular psychological traits, which may influence both their symptoms and the approach to their treatment.
Specifically, during the diagnostic phase, the following aspects are examined and assessed:
- The movement of the spinal joints in detail, one by one.
- The movement of the joints in the arms and legs.
- The behavior of neural tissue in various pathologies, such as nerve inflammations (e.g., sciatica) or dysfunctions in neural tissue movement.
- The true source of a painful symptom through differential diagnosis tests. For example, arm pain may stem from the shoulder or the neck. There are clinical tests that allow the physiotherapist to pinpoint the actual cause of pain and direct treatment accordingly.
- Muscle strength, endurance, and flexibility.
- Potential muscle imbalances and their effect on various pathological conditions.
- The ability of the body’s muscles to provide dynamic stability during the execution of various movements, both in daily activities and in sports.
In the treatment phase, in addition to the techniques mentioned above, therapeutic exercise is a crucial tool in Manual Therapy. It is the safest way to engage in physical training through individual or small group programs.