Manual therapy

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See also: Bodywork (alternative medicine)

 

Manual therapy, manipulative therapy, or manual & manipulative therapy is a physical treatment primarily used by physiotherapists, massage therapists, chiropractors, and osteopaths to treat musculoskeletal pain and disability; it most commonly includes kneading and manipulation of muscles, joint mobilization and joint manipulation.[1]

 

Definitions

Manual therapy may be defined differently (according to the profession describing it for legal purposes) to state what is permitted within a practitioners scope of practice. Within the physical therapy profession, manual therapy is defined as a clinical approach utilizing skilled, specific hands-on techniques, including but not limited to manipulation/mobilization, used by the physical therapist to diagnose and treat soft tissues and joint structures for the purpose of modulating pain; increasing range of motion (ROM); reducing or eliminating soft tissue inflammation; inducing relaxation; improving contractile and non-contractile tissue repair, extensibility, and/or stability; facilitating movement; and improving function.

A consensus study of US chiropractors [2] defined manual therapy as "Procedures by which the hands directly contact the body to treat the articulations and/or soft tissues."

Alternatively, Korr (1978) described manual therapy as the "Application of an accurately determined and specifically directed manual force to the body, in order to improve mobility in areas that are restricted; in joints, in connective tissues or in skeletal muscles."

Use

In Western Europe, North America and Australasia, manual therapy is usually practiced by members of specific health care professions (e.g. Chiropractors, Osteopaths, Osteopathic Physicians, Physiotherapists/Physical Therapists, and Physiatrists).[1] However, some lay practitioners (not members of a structured profession), such as bonesetters also provide some forms of manual therapy.

A survey released in May 2004 by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine focused on who used complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), what was used, and why it was used in the United States by adults age 18 years and over during 2002. According to this recent survey, manipulative therapy was the 3rd most commonly used NCCAM classification of CAM categories (10.9%) in the United States during 2002 ([1] table 4 on page 10) when all use of prayer was excluded. Consistent with previous studies, this study found that the majority of individuals (i.e., 54.9%) used CAM in conjunction with conventional medicine (page 6)

Information

A number of professional peer-reviewed journals specialize in the dissemination of information associated with manual therapy. The Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy, Manual Therapy, and the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics are PubMed indexed journals that have provided readers with useful research on manual therapy for over 15 years. Peer reviewed information has improved the quality of information that is provided to practicing clinicians and has dispelled a number of myths commonly associated with manual therapy.

 

Styles of manual therapy

There are many different styles of manual therapy. It is a fundamental feature of ayurvedic medicine, traditional Chinese medicine and some forms of New Age alternative medicine as well as being used by mainstream medical practitioners. In one form or another it is probably as old as human culture itself and is a feature to some degree of therapeutic interactions in traditional cultures around the world.

 

• Acupressure
• Anma
• Body work (alternative medicine)
• Bone setting
• Bowen Technique
• Chiropractic
• Cranio-sacral therapy
• Dorn method
• Joint manipulation
• Joint mobilization
• Spinal manipulation
• Spinal mobilization
• Massage therapy
• Manual lymphatic drainage
• Medical acupuncture
• Muscle energy technique
• Myofascial release(MFR)
  • Naprapathy
  • Osteopathic manipulative medicine
  • Polarity therapy
  • Rolfing Structural Integration
  • Seitai
  • Sotai
  • Shiatsu
  • Traction
  • Tui na

What Is Acupuncture?

Web Definition of Acupuncture

A system of complementary medicine that involves pricking the skin or tissues with needles, used to alleviate pain and to treat various physical, mental, and emotional conditions. Originating in ancient China, acupuncture is now widely practiced in the West.

What Is Acupuncture?

Sunday, 07 November 2010 08:45

 

Acupuncture is one of the many skills employed within physiotherapy as part of an integrated approach to the management of pain and inflammation. Physiotherapists base their treatments on scientific research and clinical evidence that Acupuncture can reduce pain by stimulating the brain and spinal cord to produce natural pain-relieving chemicals such as endorphins, melatonin (which promotes sleep) and serotonin (to promote well-being), to name but a few. These chemicals assist the body's healing processes and offer pain relief as a precursor to other treatments such as manual therapy or exercise in order to aid recovery.

Acupuncture forms part of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). This ancient system of medicine dates back as far as 1000 years BC and is based on a holistic concept of treatment which regards ill health as a manifestation of imbalance in the body’s energy. Re-establishing a correct balance is the aim of TCM. Energy is referred to as Qi, (pronounced chee) and is described in terms of Yin energy – quiet and calm and Yang energy –vigorous and exciting. They are complementary opposites and in health exist in a dynamic but balanced state in the body. Practitioners of TCM believe that stimulating certain Acupuncture points on the body can help to restore the balance between Yin and Yang that becomes disturbed in illness.

AACP members combine TCM principles with scientific evidence as a means of reducing pain and promoting healing, always with the aim of enhancing physiotherapy treatments such as exercise and rehabilitation techniques to promote recovery and improve quality of life.

Conventional acupuncture

Conventional acupuncture involves the use of single-use, pre-sterilised disposable needles of varying widths, lengths and materials that pierce the skin at the acupuncture points. The physiotherapist will determine the locations of these points on the basis of an assessment of the cause of the imbalance. A number of needles may be used during each treatment, and these are typically left in position for between 20 and 30 minutes before being removed.

Trigger point acupuncture may also be used to facilitate relaxation in specific muscles following traumas, for longer-term unresolved muscle pain, or as a means of increasing muscle length in order to aid stretch and rehabilitation. In the latter case, the needle is inserted into the affected muscle until the tissue is felt to relax under the needle, which is then removed. Trigger point needling often produces an effect much more quickly, and therefore, does not require the 20–30-minute treatment time.

Acupressure

In acupressure treatment, physiotherapists use their hands to activate acupuncture or trigger points in order to relieve muscle tightness, or to stimulate Qi flow and balance the body. It is a healing art in which the fingers are applied to key acupuncture points. The amount of pressure used varies according to the condition and requires trained, sensitive hands. It is often used to treat patients who are sensitive, those with a phobia of needles, children and frail people.

What Do You Want?

Hey guys,

Just a quick post to you today, All of us here at Therapyworks wanted to know what would you like us to post about next?

We've got a few ideas but would love to hear what you think.

Our next blog post will mostly likely be towards the end of the week, possibly Wednesday or Thursday.

If you could leave us a comment on what you would like us to give you more information on that would be fab.

If you have any questions please leave a comment below or visit our

Facebook - www.facebook.com/TherapyworksLtdPontypridd

Twitter - https://twitter.com/#!/therapyworksltd

Website - www.therapyworks.co.uk/pontypridd

We'd be happy to help you

From all at

Therapyworks

So what is a Physiotherapist?

Todays blog post is going to tell you more about what a physiotherapist is, the training they have had and what to expect when first meeting your Physiotherapist.

so first things first what is a physiotherapist?

The web definition is as follows:

Physical Therapist: therapist who treats injury or dysfunction with exercises and other physical treatments of the disorder.


Not much of an explanation is it. Let me give you our definition of a physiotherapist.

A Physiotherapist is a therapist who helps patients recover from injury and illness. Physiotherapy is a profession, which is very popular in the UK, Europe and Australia.

What is a Physiotherapist?

•    A physiotherapist is a health care professional who specialises in maximising human movement, function and potential.

•    A physiotherapist may work with someone after injury, accident or surgery, or may work to prevent injury for instance with sporting clubs or in the workplace.

•    Physiotherapists work in a wide variety of settings: hospital; private clinics; hospices; nursing homes; a patients own home; the workplace; sports clubs and gyms.

Physiotherapists are the British equivalent of a Physical Therapist

What training does a Physiotherapist have?

•     In July 2005 a law was passed in the United Kingdom protecting the title “physiotherapist” and “physical therapist” restricting its use in the UK to persons who are eligible to register as a physiotherapist with the Health Professions Council.

•    In order to receive a certificate to practice and register with the Health professions council Physiotherapists study for three years to gain a BSc in Physiotherapy. Some universities now also offer an accelerated two year course to students who hold a previous degree in a relevant subject.

•    Once registered with the Health professions council Physiotherapists must maintain a portfolio documenting their continuous professional development, undertaking extra courses and study.

You can check whether your therapist is registered with the HPC on their web site.   

What should I expect if I consult a Physiotherapist? 



First of all the physio will undertake a comprehensive assessment of your problem. This will include asking you a lot of detailed questions about the problem such as how it started, what activities make it better or worse, as well as more general questions about your general health and work, hobbies and sporting activities.
Treatment options depend on the problem that you are having but may include exercises 

to stretch tight structures, strengthen weak ones, improve balance, or change the way you move; hands on mobilisation to move joints; or electrotherapy which is the use of machines such as ultrasound or TENS

I hope you found this helpful and that you now fully understand the term Physiotherapist. Again why not click on the links at the side on this post and come visit our sites. We'd be happy to hear from you.


Also if there is anything you would like to ask, please feel free to leave a comment below and i shall reply to you asap.


TherapyWorks


x

What is Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy?

Hey guys,

As promised here is the blog post giving you more information about Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy.

Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy

Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy is a specialised area of Physiotherapy treating injuries and conditions, which affect the muscles, joints, and soft tissues. Injuries, which can be treated by Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist, can include:

•    Ligament sprains

•    Muscle strains

•    Arthritis

•    Cartilage tears

•    Pre and post surgery rehabilitation

•    Fracture rehabilitation

•    Back pain

These injuries can require a musculoskeletal physiotherapy assessment and treatment session to optimise healing and speed the recovery process. Upon assessment the physiotherapist will work with the patient to set goals and develop an appropriate rehabilitation plan. Some of the treatments, which the Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist may use, can include:

•    Exercise Therapy

•    Manual Therapy

•    Electrotherapy

•    Massage

•    Self-management strategies

The most appropriate treatments will be selected upon the clinical judgment and the experience of the Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist on the findings from the initial assessment. Treatments for musculoskeletal injuries aim to:

•    Optimise healing

•    Speed the recovery process

•    Increase strength

•    Restore normal movement

•    Decrease pain

•    Decrease swelling and inflammation

•    Increase independence

The Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist will consider all these when they are developing the treatment plan. 

I hope you all find this information very help and that your knowledge on Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy has now had a boost. Thanks again to everyone who reads our blog.

Why not check out our other sites that have been linked at the side.

What is Musculoskeleta?

Hello Everyone,


Now we've been blogging about us here at Therapyworks Ltd and what we do but i've notice that we haven't really gone into detail about Musculoskeleta. Now many of you will most likely be wondering what this is so today we will be giving you a little bit more about this.


So what is Musculoskeleta?


A musculoskeletal system (also known as the locomotor system) is an organ system that gives animals (including humans) the ability to move using the muscular and skeletal system. The musculoskeletal system provides form, support, stability, and movement to the body.

It is made up of the body's bones (the skeleton), muscles, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, joints, and other connective tissue that supports and binds tissues and organs together. The musculoskeletal system's primary functions include supporting the body, allowing motion, and protecting vital organs. The skeletal portion of the system serves as the main storage system for calcium and phosphors  and contains critical components of the hamatopoictic system.

This system describes how bones are connected to other bones and muscle fibers via connective tissue such as tendons and ligaments. The bones provide the stability to a body in analogy to iron rods in concrete construction. Muscles keep bones in place and also play a role in movement of the bones. To allow motion, different bones are connected by joints. Cartilage prevents the bone ends from rubbing directly on to each other. Muscles contract (bunch up) to move the bone attached at the joint.

So what is Musculoskeleta Injury?

Musculoskeletal injury (MI, not to be confused with myocardial infraction) refers to damage of muscular or skeletal systems, which is usually due to a strenuous activity. In one study, roughly 25% of approximately 6300 adults received a musculoskeletal injury of some sort within 12 months—of which 83% were activity-related. MI spans into a large variety of medical specialities including orthopaedic surgery (with diseases such as arthritis requiring surgery), emergency medicine (acute presentations of joint and muscular pain) and rheumatology (in rheumatological diseases that affect joints such as rheumatoid arthritis ). In many cases, during the healing period after a Musculoskeletal injury, a period in which the healing area will be completely immobile, a cast-induced muscle atrophy can occur. Routine sessions of physiotherapy after the cast is removed can help return regain strength in limp muscles or tendons. Alternately, there exist different methods of electrical stimulation of the immobile muscles which can be induced by a device placed underneath a cast, helping prevent atrophy.

So thats it! you now know all about Musculoskeleta and Musculoskeleta Injury. Why don't you come back on next week to find out more about Musculoskeleta Physiotherapy?

Therapyworks Ltd Pontypridd

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Our Services

Hey Everyone!


I hope you are all doing fine on the first day of February! Hasn't it gone quick.


Anyway today i'm going to blog about all the services we provide here at Therapyworks.

As a client of Therapyworks we want your rehabilitation not only to be a comfortable and enjoyable one, but an effective one too.   

 We are a Physiotherapy led organisation and as such your care will be delivered at all times by a Chartered Physiotherapist who will also be a member of the Health Professions Council (HPC). 

 Your care will be delivered on an individual basis within a private and comfortable environment.  

 We will also endeavour to ensure that you are given an appointment within forty eight hours of first contact with us and that you continue to see the same Physiotherapist throughout you care.

As a practice we specialise in Musculosketelal Physiotherapy and offer many effective methods to treat conditions such as :

• Neck and Back Pain
• Sports Injuries
• Whiplash
• Arthritis 
• Post Surgery Rehabilitation
• Headache
• Post Fracture Rehabilitation

• Ligamant Injuries
• Muscle Injuries
• Work Related Injuries
• Overuse Injuries
• Sciatica 

If you suffer with one of the above then why not give us a call and arrange an appointment. Many people who suffer with these problems find physiotherapy a great help on the road to recovery. Why not give us  call on 01443 841181 we'd be happy to help

It's all about us!

Hello fellow bloggers!


Thank you to all yesterday who came along and read our blog. Today I will be telling you all about Therapyworks and what we do. I hope you find it interesting an can clear up any questions you might have about us here.


ok so lets get started.


First things first did you know that according to the The British Pain Society almost 10 million people suffer with Chronic Pain. Chronic Pain has the power to put your life on hold. As you've probably found, if you suffer with this, simple day to day functions can be daunting, or even impossible - and the impact can be felt in your private and professional life.
Historically, the management of disease, injury, and even childbirth involved long periods of hospitalization, bed rest, and convalescence. Health care practitioners used a narrow disease/impairment-based model in which patients were passive recipients of care. Physical therapists working within such a "rest for recovery" framework developed skills and techniques of which many were passive, some were modality-based, and most were lengthy.

Health care has changed in recent decades. Early activity for recovery of function is now encouraged, and the impairment model has broadened to include psychosocial components. A multidisciplinary team approach now includes the patient as an educated and active participant, and physical therapy treatments emphasize activity. The therapist's role has changed from healer to helper. Therapists help patients address and overcome physical and psychological obstacles, return to activities, and achieve personal goals.

How can physiotherapy help?

Here at Therapyworks, we take an holistic approach to pain. Naturally, as physiotherapists, our first priority is to relieve your symptoms – but we’re just as concerned with the root causes of pain and helping you to prevent (or at least limit) your pain in the future.
At our private physiotherapy clinic, we treat clients with all types of injury, from whiplash to sports or work injuries, through to simple overuse. Using the very latest physiotherapy techniques, we’ll explore every aspect of your pain - then work with you to restore a healthy and active way of life.


Welcome to Therapyworks

Therapyworks is a Physiotherapy service dedicated to providing high quality service to all our clients. Therapyworks has gone from strength to strength -with an impressive list of clients and a well established local support base.


Our Philosophy


Our Philosophy is the relentless pursuit of excellence in physiotherapy. We are dedicated to ensure that our clients receive the best service available. We may be small but we have a perfectly formed team of experts dedicated to delivering you excellence. Our lead physiotherapists are renowned for their experience and quality.


Why come to us?

• Specialist Expertise 
  Physiotherapists at Therapyworks have a wide ranging experience of all medical treatments. Our staff our highly qualified and registered members of the CSP and HPC.
• Convenience Open 5 Days a week with late night appointments on a Tuesday and Thursday 
• Flexibility
  We aim to help provide a service that fits in with your lifestyle.
• Speed of Service 
  We aim to provide an appointment option within 48 hours
• Education & Advice 
  Understanding the problem is half the battle, understanding what to do and why is the key!
• Individual Attention & Treatment 
  Our success is based upon our individually tailored treatment approach. Using current research we identify, treat and inform how to resolve it for good.
  
  
  Therapyworks has created an environment that looks and feels professional.

  
  

  Relax in the knowledge that we will look after you!

  
  

  And thats us. Why not click on one of the links below and visit our :-

  Website - Website

  Twitter - Twitter

  Facebook - Facebook

  
  

  If you have any questions please feel free to ask, after all we are here to help.

  
  

  Look out for our next posting telling you all about the kind of treatment we do here at Therapyworks.

  
  

  Until next time.

  
  

  
  

  
  

Hello There

Hello! My name is vicky and i work here at Therapyworks Pontypridd, We are new to this but me personally not. I have a few blogs here myself so i thought why not set one up for my workplace

I'm the administer here at Therapyworks Pontypridd and i look after the office. I'll be blogging things about the company and sending you links to our websites and other blogging sites.

I hope you will enjoy, our next post will be giving you more information about TherapyWorks and what we do here!

Until next time

Vicky Cross
Therapyworks Pontypridd