Functional manual therapy is a hands-on approach found within a course of a treatment program that utilizes a variety of techniques to treat musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction.
The most common functional manual therapy techniques include trigger point therapy, soft tissue mobilization, joint mobilization, and manipulation. Every therapy program is customized to meet a patient’s specific needs for the best possible outcome.
If you’re considering functional manual therapy as part of your rehabilitation plan, here are the benefits you can expect.
1. Pain Reduction
Scar tissue from surgery or injury can cause your muscles to tighten leaving you in debilitating pain. However, therapists use their hands to apply pressure on muscle tissue and manipulate joints to break up the scar tissue ultimately, release spasming for lasting pain relief. Additionally, this therapy can also provide lasting neurophysiological effects such as decreased pain sensitivity and perception.
2. Improved Flexibility and Mobility
Pain and muscle stiffness can decrease your joint’s range of motion. Functional manual therapy techniques like muscle energy technique and joint mobilization allow the therapist to stretch the muscles and joints to relieve stiffness, increase flexibility and range of motion.
3. Improves Quality of Movement
Functional manual therapy not only improves movement but also enhances the quality of movement. Quality of movement is defined as having the sufficient mobility and stability to optimally perform fundamental movement patterns, such as lunging, bracing, pressing, and squatting. Moreover, tailored functional therapy stretches and exercise interventions have been shown to significantly increase the quality of movement.
4. Reduced Soft Tissue Inflammation
Inflammation is part of the body’s natural response to injury or illness, but if left untreated, it can decrease your quality of life. Soft tissue inflammation is characterized by swelling, tenderness, and severe pain which translates to limited movement. Functional manual therapy techniques like soft tissue and joint mobilization reduce inflammation by improving circulation and range of motion.
5. Improved Circulation for Faster Healing
Breaking up the scar tissue allows for blood circulation to the affected area. Fresh blood brings in nutrients and oxygen which promotes protein synthesis and new cell growth leading to faster healing.
6. Induces Relaxation
Studies have shown that functional therapy techniques help stimulate the release of “feel-good hormones” like serotonin which induces body relaxation and a general feeling of wellness. Combined with the aspects of reduced pain and improved range of motion, every session orients your body from a hypervigilant painful state to a more relaxed state.
7. Prevention of Future Injuries
Functional manual therapy allows for a thorough investigation of the underlying cause of your pain and mobility problems. By addressing these issues and improving your range of motion, FMT can prevent injuries from occurring in the future.
Contact Custom Rehab PT for Quality Functional Manual Therapy Services
If you’re suffering from any musculoskeletal problems and you feel functional manual therapy might be a good treatment option for you, contact Custom Rehab PT. We offer functional manual therapy services that are designed with you in mind for the best possible outcome. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.