Benefits of Manual Therapy

Manual therapy is the application of hands-on techniques by skilled practitioners to achieve specific outcomes for their patients. While often sought to alleviate pain, the benefits of manual therapy extend to improving flexibility and mobility, reducing stiffness and tension, and providing relaxation and stress relief.

Practitioners have a wide range of manual therapy techniques in their repertoire, allowing them to tailor their approach to the goals and needs of the individual in front of them. Some patients favour a firm massage and dry needling, while others prefer a lighter pressure and gentle stretching techniques. Practitioners use these preferences and their clinical expertise to develop a treatment plan that will achieve the best outcomes for the patient. 

Let’s explore some of our favourite manual therapy techniques used here in the Treatment Room at RISE, and how they can benefit you! 

Cupping is a manual therapy technique that involves the application of suction cups to areas of the body with the goal of enhancing blood flow, reducing muscular tension and reducing pain. You may have seen circular bruises on athletes on TV. These bruises are caused by the targeted vacuum created in the cup which lifts skin and muscle into the cup, drawing blood to the surface and decompressing painful tissues.

Dry needling is another technique that is used to reduce muscle tension and pain. Fine needles are first inserted into the sore or tight muscle. Some patients will experience muscle twitches that feel a little like a cramp, followed by muscle relaxation. No matter the method your practitioner is trained in, all dry needling techniques encourage blood flow to the site of the needle to promote healing and recovery. 

High-velocity, low-amplitude manipulation (HVLA) is what is commonly known as “cracking”. In this technique, practitioners apply a quick force over a small distance within the joint's range of motion. This produces an audible “pop” associated with this treatment technique. Benefits of HVLA may include reflexive muscle relaxation, improved range of motion and reduced pain. 

Muscle Energy Technique is another technique that aims to improve mobility and flexibility. Your practitioner will position your body in a way that often achieves a gentle stretch. They will then encourage you to actively resist their force, contracting the target muscle, before relaxing your muscles to create a deeper release. This technique can be beneficial if you’re experiencing muscular tension or joint stiffness.  

One benefit of manual therapy is improved blood flow, which can reduce pain and stiffness. When a muscle is feeling tight, the blood flow to that muscle is restricted. This reduces the amount of oxygen and “recovery chemicals” that can get to the muscle, which can further exacerbate the tightness and pain in the muscle. To break this cycle, we can use techniques such as cupping and soft tissue release to improve blood flow.
Another benefit of manual therapy is improved mobility and flexibility. When muscles become tight and joints become restricted, our mobility and flexibility can be impacted. As allied health practitioners, we often see injuries occur in one area when mobility is restricted in another area. Combining cupping with active and passive movements can improve mobility and flexibility following treatment. 

The main benefit most of our customers are seeking with hands-on treatment is pain reduction. Pain can impact our ability to focus, enjoyment of exercise, daily function and mood. As practitioners, we empathise with this and understand the significant impact reducing pain can have on a person.

Another powerful benefit of manual therapy is relaxation and stress-relief. We all lead busy lives and are constantly on the go. When was the last time you gave yourself an hour of “you-time”? Manual therapy has been shown to downregulate the sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight) and support the parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest).

Digestion can also be positively impacted by manual therapy. As noted above, manual therapists can improve digestion by upregulating the parasympathetic nervous system. They can also improve digestion through techniques that create movement of the abdomen through direct gentle pressure or by mobilising neighbouring joints and muscles. 

Manual therapy can also improve swelling. Swelling that occurs after an injury is an important and necessary part of the healing process. After a few days, we can start to gently massage the fluid out of the area to improve stiffness and tightness. This can improve comfort levels and range of motion. 

Osteopaths and physiotherapists utilise a range of manual therapy techniques that can improve your mobility, flexibility and comfort levels. However, manual therapy is just one part of a management plan. To maintain the changes achieved through manual therapy - and stop pain from returning - it is important to complete rehabilitation exercises and follow the management advice of practitioners.

To get on top of your pain, book in to see one of our practitioners here.