Physiotherapy isn’t just about exercises or fancy equipment. A lot of recovery involves hands-on techniques where therapists use their skills to work on specific areas of the body. These techniques are great for improving mobility, reducing pain, and helping you feel more like yourself again. At Dixie Physiotherapy & Wellness in Mississauga, we use hands-on approaches to help patients recover faster and feel stronger.
What Is Hands-On Therapy?
Hands-on or manual therapy is a type of physiotherapy where the therapist uses their hands, not machines, to treat you. These methods include things like:
- Massages
- Stretching muscles
- Moving joints gently
This approach is perfect for targeting pain and improving flexibility, especially for injuries that need specific care.
Top Hands-On Techniques in Physiotherapy
Here are six effective manual therapy techniques you might experience:
- Soft-tissue massage: Helps relax muscles, reduce stiffness, and improve mobility through gentle rubbing of muscles and connective tissues.
- Joint manipulation: Quick, small movements of a joint to restore its range of motion.
- Joint mobilization: Slow, controlled movements to help stiff joints move better.
- Strain and counter strain: A method to ease muscle spasms by placing the body in a relaxed position.
- Friction massage: A deeper massage technique used to improve healing and break down scar tissue.
- Passive stretching: Guided stretching to increase flexibility and help tight muscles loosen up.
Your physiotherapist might mix these techniques depending on your needs, creating a treatment plan that works for your unique condition.
When Is Manual Therapy Useful?
Hands-on therapy can help with:
- Recovery after surgery
- Sports injuries
- Neck and back pain
- Osteoarthritis
- Plantar fasciitis
And more. Whether it’s a long-term issue or a recent injury, manual therapy can make a big difference in how you heal.
Can You Do Manual Therapy Yourself?
No, these techniques should only be done by trained professionals. Physiotherapists know how to safely locate pain points and address them without causing harm. Trying it yourself can lead to injury or make things worse.
If you’re ready to experience the benefits of hands-on therapy, book an appointment with Dixie Physiotherapy & Wellness in Mississauga. We’ll help you get back to feeling your best.