Hands-on Care for Better Movement

Manual Physical Therapy

At Andersonville Physical Therapy, we use manual therapy to help you move with greater ease and less pain immediately. Areas that are tight, achy or not moving will often benefit from manual therapy to restore their normal function. Research shows that these hands-on techniques can provide short-term pain relief and increase pain-free motion. We use this window of reduced pain and increased motion to teach you the exercises that will help you achieve long-term results.

Easing acute pain, post-surgical pain and swelling

Manual therapy is also useful for minimizing the effects of acute pain, post-surgical pain, swelling and intense pain that comes on suddenly with movement. It is often necessary to get these painful areas moving passively before you move them actively — and that is where a skilled manual therapist is needed. Essentially, your physical therapist will move your joints for you to minimize the effects of inflammation and immobilization, and then progress you to active exercises that utilize your muscles when it is optimal for your healing.

Relief for chronic pain

Gentle hands-on treatments combined with neuroscience education (information provided by your physical therapist to help you understand your pain) can be incredibly effective in allowing the nervous system to recalibrate, often providing immediate relief of pain. With regular treatments, the nervous system will adapt and return to its normal state, eventually sending out pain signals more accurately.

Techniques we utilize may include:

  • Joint mobilization and manipulation
  • Soft tissue mobilization
  • Mobilization with movement
  • Muscle Energy Techniques
  • Strain-Counterstrain
  • Proprioceptive Neuromotor Facilitation
  • Joint realignment techniques
  • Neurodynamics
  • Myofascial release
  • Skin rolling
  • Dermoneuromodulation
  • Trigger point release
  • Effleurage
  • Physiological Quieting
  • Lymph drainage
  • Graston Technique
  • McKenzie Therapy
  • Functional Dry Needling

Start moving again

The therapists at Andersonville Physical Therapy are trained to incorporate manual therapy into your treatment plan. If you already have a doctor’s referral for physical therapy, schedule an appointment or call our Chicago office at (773) 907-3599 during regular business hours.

How to Speed up Your Recover Before you Begin Physical Therapy

Want to accelerate your recovery? We’ve created a FREE guide for those who want to take charge of their own rehabilitation. Even if you haven’t decided on a physical therapist office, download Speed Up Your Recovery Before You Begin Physical Therapy and get expert advice on what you can do before you show up for your first appointment.