Stephen Helton, PT
What is Manual Physical Therapy?

It's Hands-On Physical Therapy.

Many patients arrive at their first physical therapy appointment expecting to receive hot packs, ultrasound and instructions on how to complete a series of exercises. These modalities are warranted in many instances and most therapists would agree that exercise is needed to help restore muscle imbalances. However, many therapists now approach the restoration of function from a different perspective. These therapists are interested in why a muscle isn’t functioning properly and view exercise not as the driving mode of recovery but as a complement to manual therapy. Manual Physical Therapy is a specialized form of physical therapy delivered with the hands as opposed to a device or machine. In Manual Therapy, practitioners use their hands to put pressure on muscle tissue and manipulate joints in an attempt to decrease back pain caused by muscle spasm, muscle tension and joint dysfunction.

As a group, manual physical therapy techniques are aimed at relaxing tense muscles and restricted joints in order to decrease pain and increase flexibility. In general, manual physical therapy techniques employ the following types of movement:

Soft tissue work, including massage, which applies pressure to the soft tissues of the body such as the muscles. This pressure can help relax muscles, increase circulation, break up scar tissue, and ease pain in the soft tissues.

Mobilization/manipulation, which uses measured movements of varying speed (slow to fast), force (gentle to forceful), and distances (called ‘amplitude’) to twist, pull, or push bones and joints into position. This can help loosen tight tissues around a joint, reduce pain in a joint and surrounding tissue, and help with flexibility and alignment.

What to Expect During a Manual Physical Therapy Session

In most cases, you will be wearing your own clothes. Steve highly recommends that you wear loose clothing (Sleeves that can be rolled up, shorts or pants that can be rolled up, button-down shirts, etc). Steve is happy to provide a hospital gown if you don't have loose clothes, or if you forget to wear them. Your modesty will always be protected.

Your first session will last 90 minutes, and every session after that will be 60 minutes.