If you are nervous about hands on treatment, you are not alone. Pain can make a first visit feel uncertain, so here is a plain look at how manual therapy may ease stiff, painful joints before you come to our Glenn Avenue clinic in Auburn.
What exactly does a manual therapist do to a stiff joint?
A therapist uses their hands on the joint and the tissue around it. Manual therapy is a hands on treatment by clinicians for muscle aches, joint pain, and limited range of motion. It includes soft tissue mobilization of muscles, specific joint mobilization, and joint manipulation. Three forms are the most notable, and they are not interchangeable.
- Manipulation applies a rapid force into a joint. It is often associated with an audible popping sound called cavitation.
- Mobilization is a slower, more controlled process of joint and soft tissue stretching intended to improve joint mobility.
- Massage is typically the repetitive rubbing, stripping, or kneading of muscle and fascia tissues to help healing in the tissue around the joint.
You can read more on our manual therapy page.
Which conditions is manual therapy used for?
It is used for many joint and soft tissue problems, not just back pain. Our manual therapy page lists adhesive capsulitis, shoulder impingement, shoulder stiffness, tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, pinched nerves, limited joint range of motion, capsule tightness, and post-surgical stiffness, and adds that there are many more.
Our clinics also see joint pain and arthritis, muscle strains, ligament sprains, and neck pain and pinched nerves. If you are recovering from surgery, check with your doctor or physical therapist about your own situation before starting any hands on work.
Will the popping sound during manipulation hurt me?
The popping sound is called cavitation, and it is often associated with manipulation. Many people know a similar sound from cracking their knuckles. Whether manipulation suits your joint is a question for your physical therapist or doctor, and you can ask about it before any session begins.
Is manual therapy the whole treatment, or just one part of it?
It is typically one part of a complete treatment plan that is customized for your specific needs. Our manual therapy page describes it as part of an overall conservative treatment plan.
Other approaches we name include therapeutic exercise, stretching and strengthening exercises, patient education, soft tissue massage, lumbar stabilization, rotator cuff programs, ultrasound, neuromuscular stimulation, posture education, and TENS. We describe our care as purpose driven, evidence based, and individualized.
How do I know if my shoulder stiffness is the kind manual therapy is used for?
Shoulder stiffness from adhesive capsulitis, impingement, or post-surgical tightness is among the problems on our list. Three of its entries involve the shoulder. If your shoulder has lost movement or stiffened after surgery, ask a physical therapist whether hands on treatment fits, and mention it to your doctor too. Our shoulder resources give more background.
Can manual therapy help with knee or elbow joint pain, not just the spine?
It is used for joint pain and stiffness in many parts of the body, and tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow are both on the list. Our clinics also see elbow, wrist, and hand pain and knee injuries. For knee concerns, our knee section gives background on physical therapy for joint pain.
Where can I book hands on care in Auburn?
You can book at our Glenn Avenue clinic, 2515 E Glenn Ave #104, Auburn. No referral is required, and we are available to see you for your first visit within 24 to 48 hours. See the Glenn Avenue clinic page, call (334) 821-2256, or use the Appointment Request form on our website, and we will contact you about scheduling.
Is hands on work right after surgery or with an unstable joint?
That depends on your recovery stage, so it is a question for your doctor and physical therapist, not something an article can settle. Post-surgical stiffness is on our manual therapy list, but timing and technique are individual. Bring up any recent surgery or joint instability when you contact us, so the right person can answer for your situation.
Related pages
This article draws on the following pages.