Do you or a loved one suffer from a variety of types of pain, including muscle, joint, and nerve pain? If so, you might be a candidate for manual therapy. At Physical Therapy & Injury Specialists, Englewood, CO, we specialize in evaluating and finding the source of your pain. We can then devise a multimodal treatment plan that may include manual therapy.
What is manual therapy? How does it work?
Manual therapy is a type of care that involves a trained physical therapist using their hands to adjust a patient’s body. During this care, the PT will gently touch muscles, joints, and other body parts. The goal is usually to relieve pain. Some types can also improve mobility and reduce swelling. This treatment is often part of a broader physical therapy care plan.
Manual therapy involves all sorts of skilled hand motions. Sometimes, PTs simply rub a patient’s arms and legs. In other sessions, they may guide joints through movements or stretch muscles. Some common techniques include massage and deep pressure. Certain therapists also offer choices like acupressure or lymphatic drainage.
Who is an ideal candidate for manual therapy?
Manual therapy is useful for anyone with muscle, joint, or bone issues. Doctors often prescribe it for people healing from injuries or having chronic health problems. Ultimately, some common reasons you might need therapy include:
- Back pain
- Fluid retention
- Hip issues
- Knee injuries
- Neck pain
- Shoulder pain
- Sports injuries
- Stiff joints
- Surgical recovery
What are the benefits? How well does it work?
This treatment is useful for all sorts of chronic and acute issues. Research shows that manual therapy is especially good for managing pain. It can help with a variety of types of pain, including muscle, joint, and nerve pain. Furthermore, it’s also good for improving mobility and treating certain types of joint issues. Overall, it can help to improve quality of life and ease patients’ symptoms.
Reference: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
How many sessions will I need?
There are a variety of treatment plans for people who need manual therapy. Some might have a session once a month for a year. Others might have multiple sessions a week for just a month. Your provider will work with you to find the right schedule for your needs. How often you get it will depend on:
- Your current health
- What other care you’re getting
- How often you can exercise
- What injuries you have
- Which chronic health problems you have
- How long you plan on getting it
Does insurance pay for manual therapy?
The answer to this depends on both your health and your insurance plan. Some plans cover manual therapy all the time. Meanwhile, others may only cover it if you have a certain diagnosed issue. Sometimes, you might need your doctor to prove it’s necessary before starting manual therapy. If you’re concerned about coverage, check with your insurance company to see what help they offer. You can also contact our office, and we’d be happy to walk you through the process.
How to get started
Our Metro Denver physical therapists will design a multimodality treatment program tailored for your injury or medical condition to achieve maximum functional ability and return you to your work, sport, and life. Contact Physical Therapy & Injury Specialists (PTIS) today in Englewood, CO, at our physical therapy clinic on Pearl Street or South Maroon to schedule an appointment.