Manual Therapy

What is Manual Therapy?

The term “manual therapy” refers to hands-on treatment of muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints. Manual therapy encompasses a broad group of sophisticated techniques performed by hand and by uniquely trained physical therapists. These may include mobilizations or manipulations of soft tissue and skeletal joints. Manual therapy techniques aim to decrease pain and increase function. Most manual therapy training programs in the United States are four-year, post-graduate programs that emphasize clinical experiences, classroom education, and extensive exams.

At Metro Physical & Aquatic Therapy, our manual therapists have advanced training and certifications in trigger point manual therapy on Long Island which has been proven to breakup even the toughest scar tissue adhesions.

TRIGGER POINT PHYSICAL THERAPY

Trigger Point pain is one of the more common ailments that affect the muscles in the human body. It is also one of the most painful considering the pain does not occur in just one area, but can cause tingling, numbness, and various other discomforts in areas at a distance from the source of the trigger point itself.

A trigger point is a tight area within muscle tissue that causes pain in other parts of the body. A trigger point in the back, for example, may produce referral pain in the neck. The neck, now acting as a satellite trigger point, may then cause pain in the head. The pain may be sharp and intense or a dull ache.

Trigger points are part of a protective mechanism of your body, an important defense reflex that keeps your body safe.  Problems occur when the reflex misfires or doesn’t switch off – causing ongoing pain and stiffness.

Trigger point release physical therapy is a technique in which trigger points are located and manipulated to reduce the pain and "deactivate" the point. Manual trigger point therapy is specifically designed to alleviate the source of the pain through cycles of isolated pressure and release. The results and benefits of trigger point therapy are releasing constricted areas in the muscles thus alleviating pain. You can experience a significant decrease in pain after just one myofascial pain physical therapy treatment. 

Graston Technique

Soft tissue injuries can be debilitating and frustrating. Graston Technique® (GT) is successful in effectively treating all soft tissue conditions, whether they are chronic, acute or post surgical. GT can help you enjoy life again. Our unique technique and instruments enable therapists to address scar tissue and fascial restrictions during rehabilitation and to administer effective range of motion maintenance programs.