MANUAL THERAPY
A specialized field within manual medicine
Manual Therapy is a specialized field within manual medicine based on the functional anatomy, biomechanics, and physiology of the human body. It deals with the diagnosis and treatment of neuro-orthopedic, traumatological, and sports medicine structural damages and dysfunctions of the musculoskeletal system, as well as their consequences, and is carried out by specially qualified physiotherapists.
It includes specific active and passive mobilizations, as well as the stretching of blocked, shortened or bonded tissues such as muscles, fascia, joints, and nerves. Besides and depending on the present indication and clinical picture of the patient, however, a good amount of time and effort is also being put into therapeutic goals like the increase of strength and/or improvement of coordination and motor control of these structures.
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Evidence-based treatment
On the background of holistic therapy, the primary goal is pain relief, the improvement of mobility, and ultimately the recovery of the most complete functionality of the overloaded tissues. In addition to the therapist, the patient also plays a decisive role, which means that he or she can and should actively contribute to the success of the treatment through regular implementation of specific therapeutic exercises.
Manual Therapy is used for both acute and chronic musculoskeletal disorders. Scientific studies have repeatedly shown that manual therapy techniques activate pain-inhibiting, regenerative and supportive reactions in the physiology of the human body, thus decisively support the patient's healing process.
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Clinical Reasoning
The basic prerequisite for the success of the treatment is first and foremost the structural and functional diagnosis carried out by the physiotherapist/manual therapist. Furthermore, in addition to their clinical experience, physiotherapists also need a well-developed so-called Clinical Reasoning, which includes specific thought processes and decisions that are exactly based on and refer to the clinical picture of the patient.
The application and implementation of the therapeutic strategies and solutions developed in this process always take place considering possible contraindications. Contraindications for orthopedic manual therapy may include, for example, the presence of fractures in the treatment area, tumors, acute inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, pronounced osteoporosis, vascular diseases of the vertebral arteries, or the use of anticoagulant drugs when therapeutically manipulating the facet joints of the cervical spine.