Manual Therapy
Manual therapy is hands-on physical therapy: your therapist uses their hands to move stiff joints and loosen tight muscle and soft tissue so you can move with less pain. Joint Effort Physical Therapy offers manual physical therapy at our clinic in Hot Springs, Arkansas, as one part of a plan that also includes exercise.
What hands-on physical therapy means here
Manual therapy is non-invasive and uses no medication. Our therapists use specialized techniques to move your tendons, ligaments and joints, with the goal of reducing swelling, easing restriction and improving range of motion. The team reports extensive training in these techniques from a range of schools and instructors.
Many people arrive expecting treatment to hurt. It should not. Tell your therapist what you feel and they adjust pressure and pace.
The techniques we use
Orthopedic manual therapy covers several methods. Your therapist picks what fits your problem.
Joint mobilization
Pressure applied at a low velocity to a restricted joint to improve its movement. A restricted joint is often behind sharp pain after an injury.
Soft tissue mobilization
Therapeutic massage with deep pressure and rhythmic stretching, aimed at scar tissue and adhesions left by injury or inflammation. It is a medical treatment, not a spa massage. A related technique has its own page: myofascial release.
Manual traction
Gentle pulling by the therapist to stretch soft tissue and restore movement, most often in the neck. See traction for the machine version.
Mobilization, not spinal manipulation
Our therapists treat with mobilization. Our treatment does not include joint manipulation, the quick thrust that can make a joint pop, so spinal manipulation is not part of your visit.
- Expect pressure, stretching and movement of the joint, not a pop or crack
- You may feel some soreness afterward, similar to after a workout
- Tell your therapist about any surgery, fracture or condition that affects your bones before treatment starts
Why it goes together with exercise
Hands-on care can ease pain and open up movement, but it works best when you then use that movement. Your plan will usually pair manual therapy with therapeutic exercise for strength, balance or range of motion, and sometimes with dry needling. Many patients notice a change after a single session, though how many visits you need depends on your problem and your evaluation.
Cost and who treats you
Rob Jordan, PT leads your care at our Hot Springs clinic, with physical therapist assistants on the team. Joint Effort Physical Therapy accepts most major commercial and private insurances, and the insurance page lists the plans it does not take. Self-pay is $85 per visit.
Not sure whether your plan needs a referral? Call us. As a courtesy, we verify your health benefits before you arrive.
Manual therapy care in Hot Springs, Arkansas
Joint Effort Physical Therapy treats Manual therapy at our Hot Springs clinic, 1880 Airport Rd., Suite C.
Not sure whether your plan needs a referral? Call us. As a courtesy, we verify your health benefits before you arrive.
Meet the people who treat you on our team page.