Manual Therapy

Montalto Physical Therapy opened in August of 2007. As a private practice, Montalto Physical Therapy greatly appreciates the relationship it has with the members of the local community. It is this very relationship that has helped us consistently grow over the years.

We Effectively Treat Pain with Manual Therapy

Are you recovering from a surgical procedure? Have you been in a car accident or been hurt on your job? Are you experiencing aches and pains? If you said yes to any of these questions, you would likely benefit from manual therapy treatments.

If you’ve never had physical therapy, it’s possible you may think the treatments will be painful or uncomfortable, due to your current pain level or condition. However, that is very rare and usually not the case.

Our Long Island physical therapists have several tools in their arsenal that are meant to relieve your pain, while simultaneously improving your body’s function. To learn more about how our manual therapy services can help you achieve relief and recovery, contact Montalto Physical Therapy today to schedule your appointment.

Work with skilled orthopedic manual therapy professionals
Manual Therapy Hands

What is Manual Therapy?

(Manual therapy explained...)

Also known as “hands-on therapy,” manual therapy is a specialized treatment performed by licensed physical therapists. During this treatment, your Long Island physical therapists will manipulate joints and soft tissue with nothing more than their hands. That means no intimidating machines or equipment involved – just hands!

Manual therapy is used as a way to relieve pain, reduce swelling, decrease restriction, improve range of motion, and mobilize joints. In order to do so, your physical therapist will conduct targeted massages and stretches to the affected part(s) of your body.

Your recovery is waiting for you at Montalto Physical Therapy.

Is manual therapy safe?

Absolutely! Manual therapy is a non-invasive treatment that does not require any harmful pain-management medications. Your physical therapist will use a variety of techniques aimed at moving your tendons, ligaments, and joints in ways that facilitate pain relief and healing.

Our Oyster Bay and Nassau County Long Island physical therapists are highly trained medical professionals who understand both the capabilities and limitations of your body. In fact, you may notice pain relief and/or improvement in your condition after a session of manual therapy!

How is manual therapy done?

There are many different types of manual therapy. Some of the most common include:

Manual traction.

Manual traction is applying a gentle pressure to specific areas of your body, in order to stretch it out. One of the most common areas to receive manual traction is the neck although, your physical therapist may also recommend it to treat different areas of your body. When manual traction is performed as a treatment for neck pain, your physical therapist will have you lie down on your back while they gently stretch the spaces between your vertebrae. The therapist will take the base of the skull in one hand and the chin in the other while applying slight pressure. Manual traction treatments are generally done for seconds at a time.

Massage or Medical Massage.

Massage treatments performed by a physical therapist are different than those you would get at a spa. They are meant to relieve pain and be more therapeutic, rather than just relaxing your body. At Montalto Physical Therapy, we use therapeutic massage or medical massage treatments as a way to manipulate the soft tissues. This is done through deep pressure and rhythmic stretching, allowing your physical therapist to find and mobilize areas of your body that are heavily restricted. By doing this, your physical therapist is able to break up any scar tissue or adhesions in the affected body part(s).

Mobilization/manipulation.

If you have recently been injured, you may experience severe pain. This is typically the result of a restricted joint. Fortunately, our Long Island physical therapists are trained in loosening restricted joints by applying pressure at a low velocity. Mobilization and manipulation techniques are safe, effective, and painless. In addition, they enable a breakdown of the affected joint’s barrier, resulting in an improved range of motion.

Lymphatic drainage.

Lymphedema is a condition that may cause swelling in the arms and legs, due to a blockage in the lymphatic system. It is typically a concern for those who have undergone complex surgical procedures.

Are suffering from lymphedema? One of our experienced physical therapists can perform manual lymphatic drainage by applying light pressure (similar to a massage) on the affected arm or leg, in order to encourage the drainage of fluid, or “lymph.” Lymphatic drainage is typically followed by compression, in order to reduce swelling.

Manual Therapy
Manual Physical Therapy Session

How to get started on manual therapy treatments.

We have an exceptional team of trained physical therapists in Oyster Bay and all of Long Island. They are movement experts equipped in diagnosing and treating painful conditions and/or disorders. Many of the disorders they treat occur following surgical procedures, especially a total joint replacement. However, physical therapy is also an effective treatment method for injuries, accidents, or illnesses – essentially, anything that makes you feel weak and unable to function at your optimum physical level.

Our physical therapists thoroughly assess you in order to design a personalized treatment plan for you that will likely include several different therapies to improve your recovery. For example, some targeted exercises focus on improving balance and strength, while others may focus more on improving your range of motion.

Manual therapy is a crucial part of a recovery plan, as it helps to reduce pain and swelling, minimize inflammation, and increase your range of motion. If you want to learn more about the hands-on approach of manual therapy today, Contact us today. We’re conveniently located in Oyster Bay of Nassau County Long Island. At Montalto Physical Therapy, we are committed to your recovery as much as you are, to treating your pain, and helping you get active once again! 

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