Manual therapy is a specialty of physiotherapy, which is acquired over several years of training. This further training takes place in several blocks over weekends and is extra-occupational. The costs for the advanced training of a manual therapy are usually borne by the therapist himself or he is supported by his employer in the costs.
In manual therapy, the therapist tracks down the cause of the patient’s complaints. He distinguishes between the individual structures. The therapist receives an initial acceptance of Manual Therapy through a specific survey.
By asking for the point of pain, at which movement the pain occurs, is the pain at the beginning or at the end of the movement, does the pain improve during the course of the day, can the pain be influenced by cold or heat? This enables the therapist to distinguish between joint or muscle problems. Through passive testing he checks the mobility in comparison to the active mobility.
If the movement is the same for active and passive movement, there is a joint problem, if the movement is still possible for passive movement, there is a muscular problem. If the therapist is able to determine a difference, he checks whether there is a nervous problem by means of certain tests. Depending on the results of these tests, the therapist adjusts the treatment. Either a mobilization of the joint, muscle techniques in case of a muscle problem is sufficient or he has to manipulate the joint if necessary the spinal column.
Who needs manual therapy?
Indications for manual therapy are the same as for physiotherapy. Restricted movement, pain and relieving posture are the most common reasons. The contraindications for manual therapy are much more important.
The most important factors are inflammatory processes in the joint or in the body in general, cancer history, metastases, bone fractures, osteoporosis or other bone-softening diseases. Cervical spine treatments are contraindicated for changes in the vertebral artery. Care should also be taken with manual therapy when taking blood thinners and cortisone.
In general, a good patient-therapist relationship is important in manual therapy. Especially during treatments of the cervical spine, temporomandibular joint and manipulations of the entire spine, the patient should be able to relax completely and have confidence in the therapist. As soon as a small muscular tension arises, the therapist should under no circumstances carry out any manipulation and only use techniques that relax the tissue and the patient.
