Manual Physical Therapy

"A clinical approach utilizing skilled, specific hands-on techniques including but not limited to manipulation/mobilization, used by physical therapists to diagnose and treat soft tissue and joint structures for the purpose of modulating pain, increasing range of motion, reducing or eliminating soft tissue inflammation, inducing relaxation, improving contractile and non-contractile tissue repair, extensibility and/or stability, facilitating movement and improving function."

1. -Stanley V. Paris, PhD, PT
   

"Manual therapy techniques consist of a broad group of skilled hand movements, including but not limited to mobilization and manipulation, used by the physical therapist to mobilize or manipulate soft tissues and joints for the purpose of modulating pain; increasing joint range of motion (ROM); reducing or eliminating soft tissue swelling, inflammation, or restriction; inducing relaxation; improving contractile and noncontractile tissue extensibility; and improving pulmonary function. These interventions involve a variety of techniques, such as the application of graded forces."

-The American Physical Therapy Association's Guide to Physical Therapist Practice

"A clinical approach utilizing skilled, specific hands-on techniques, including but not limited to manipulation/mobilization, used by the physical therapist to diagnose and treat soft tissues and joint structures for the purpose of modulating pain; increasing range of motion (ROM); reducing or eliminating soft tissue inflammation; inducing relaxation; improving contractile and non-contractile tissue repair, extensibility, and/or stability; facilitating movement; and improving function."

Definition from the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy (AAOMPT) and American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)

Manual Therapy

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Manual therapy encompasses the treatment of health ailments of various etiologies through 'hands-on', physical intervention.

Physical treatments includes massage, soft tissue mobilization, various connective tissue techniques, myofascial release, craniosacral techniques, mobilization of joints, joint manipulation, mobilization of neural tissue, visceral mobilization, and strain/counterstrain.

Manual therapy may be defined differently (according to the profession describing it for legal purposes) to state what is permitted within a practitioners scope of practice. Within the physical therapy profession, manual therapy is defined as a clinical approach utilizing skilled, specific hands-on techniques, including but not limited to manipulation/mobilization, used by the physical therapist to diagnose and treat soft tissues and joint structures for the purpose of modulating pain; increasing range of motion (ROM); reducing or eliminating soft tissue inflammation; inducing relaxation; improving contractile and non-contractile tissue repair, extensibility, and/or stability; facilitating movement; and improving function.

Physical Therapy

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Physical therapy (physiotherapy in many English speaking countries) is a health care profession which provides services to individuals in order to develop, maintain and restore maximum movement and functional ability throughout life. This includes providing services in circumstances where movement and function are threatened by aging, injury, disease or environmental factors.

Physical therapy is concerned with identifying and maximizing quality of life and movement potential within the spheres of promotion, prevention, treatment/intervention, habilitation and rehabilitation. This encompasses physical, psychological, emotional, and social well being. It involves the interaction between physical therapist (PT), patients/clients, other health professionals, families, care givers, and communities in a process where movement potential is assessed and goals are agreed upon, using knowledge and skills unique to physical therapists. Physical therapy is performed by either a physical therapist (PT) or an assistant (PTA) acting under their direction.

PTs utilize an individual's history and physical examination to arrive at a diagnosis and establish a management plan, and when necessary, incorporate the results of laboratory and imaging studies. Electro-diagnostic testing (e.g. electromyograms and nerve conduction velocity testing) may also be of assistance.

Physical therapy has many specialties including cardiopulmonary, geriatrics, neurologic, orthopedic and pediatrics to name some of the more common areas. PTs practice in many settings, such as outpatient clinics or offices, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, skilled nursing facilities, extended care facilities, private homes, education and research centers, schools, hospices, industrial workplaces or other occupational environments, fitness centers and sports training facilities.