Physiotherapist in Toronto

Physiotherapy - Manual Therapy at our Bloor West Clinic

An important component of Physiotherapy is Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy, which is a specialized form of physical therapy delivered with the hands as opposed to a device or machine.

In manual therapy, our Bloor West Physiotherapists use their hands to put pressure on muscle tissue and manipulate joints in an attempt to decrease pain caused by injury, disease, muscle spasm, muscle tension or joint dysfunction. Manual therapy can be helpful for the treatment of joints that lack adequate mobility and range of motion in certain musculoskeletal conditions. This limitation can cause discomfort, pain, and an alteration in function, posture, and movement.

Manual physical therapy by our Toronto Physiotherapists involves restoring mobility to stiff joints and reducing muscle tension in order to return the patient to more natural movement without pain. ART – Active Release Technique is a form of manual therapy often used by our Therapists as a form of treatment. As a group, manual physical therapy techniques are aimed at relaxing tense muscles and restricted joints in order to decrease pain and increase flexibility. In general, manual physical therapy techniques employ the following types of movement:

* Soft tissue work, including massage, pressure is applied to the soft tissues of the body such as the muscles. This pressure can help relax muscles, increase circulation, break up scar tissue, and ease pain in the soft tissues.

* Mobilization/manipulation, uses measured movements of varying speed (slow to fast), force (gentle to forceful), and distances (called ‘amplitude’) to twist, pull, or push bones and joints into position. This can help loosen tight tissues around a joint, reduce pain in a joint and surrounding tissue, and help with flexibility and alignment.

In conjunction with a prescribed course of Manual Therapy sessions, our Toronto Physiotherapist may also integrate other treatment modalities such as heat/cold, electrotherapy, and specific exercise. Consistent with our treatment philosophy, education plays an important role in restoring our patients' correct functioning, allowing the patient to play a more active and integrated role in their recovery. Each treatment plan is customized to the individual patient as we work together towards a common goal of restored health.