It’s easy to mistake manual therapy for a massage. While the two have similarities, they are certainly different. Both exist to help manage your pain and induce relaxation for the body. Massage therapy reduces tension, anxiety, stress and promotes circulation, relaxation, and flexibility throughout the body. On the other hand, manual therapy is the application of hands-on techniques to body tissues to assess and treat issues. If you are looking for ways to relieve pain or discomfort, reach out to physical therapy Madison Heights MI.
Massage Therapy VS Manual Therapy
In massage therapy, a certified medical professional, the massage therapist, manipulates the soft tissues in the patient’s body, including muscles, connective tissues, tendons, ligaments, and skin. Different degrees of pressure and movement are used throughout the massage.
Regarding benefits, there are plenty for massage therapy. Studies show that a massage can help reduce stress, lessen pain and muscle tension, increase relaxation, and improve immune function. Massage therapy is often recommended to individuals who are seeking pain management and stress that comes with certain conditions, such as cancer, heart disease, and others.
Manual therapy is a specialized physical therapy Madison Heights MI. It utilizes hands-on techniques without the assistance of devices or machines.
Manual therapy works to provide many benefits. These include improving tissue extensibility, increasing the range of motion of the joint complex, increasing relaxation, regulating pain, and reducing tissue swelling and inflammation.
Different Goals
The two different types of therapy have different goals. Massage therapy is geared towards promoting relaxation, both physically and mentally. Manual therapy works to reduce pain and improve physical function.
Different Techniques
Massage therapists usually engage in soft tissue mobilization, which is a form of manual therapy. This therapy uses hands-on techniques on the body’s muscles, ligaments, and fascia to break adhesions and optimize muscle function.
Manual therapy works to diagnose and treat soft tissue and joints to reduce pain, increase range of motion, decrease myofascial restrictions to improve muscle length, assist the body in muscle or soft tissue repair, and more.
Physical Therapy Madison Heights MI
For all of your physical therapy Madison Heights MI needs, Empower PT offers services to fit your specific needs. Our trained professionals are available to create personalized recovery plans for you. Contact us today to schedule your appointment!
