Manual therapy

At Body Fix Physio Clinic, we believe in the power of touch. Manual therapy is a cornerstone of our clinical practice—a highly skilled, hands-on approach used by our physiotherapists to diagnose and treat a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions. If you’re seeking a drug-free, non-invasive path to pain relief and restored movement, our manual therapy services are here to help.

What is Manual Therapy? A Hands-On Approach to Healing

Manual therapy is an evidence-based physical treatment where our qualified physiotherapists use their hands to apply precise, targeted techniques to your muscles, joints, and nerves. Unlike machine-based therapies, this hands-on approach allows us to feel the specific tissues involved, assessing their texture, tightness, and movement to deliver a highly individualised treatment.

This form of hands-on physiotherapy is not a one-size-fits-all solution; it is a sophisticated set of techniques tailored to your body’s unique needs.

Our Key Manual Therapy Techniques

Our Chartered Physiotherapists are proficient in a wide range of advanced manual therapy techniques, including:

• Joint Mobilisation and Manipulation: Gentle, rhythmic movements (mobilisation) or a quick, controlled thrust (manipulation) are applied to stiff joints. These manual joint therapy techniques help to restore the gliding and sliding within a joint, reducing stiffness and improving joint range of motion. This is a key component of orthopaedic manual therapy.
• Soft Tissue Massage and Myofascial Release: This goes beyond relaxation massage. We use specific soft tissue mobilization and myofascial release techniques to release tension, break down scar tissue, and improve blood flow in muscles, tendons, and ligaments. This is effective for treating muscle strains and trigger points.
• Muscle Energy Techniques (METs): A gentle form of osteopathic manipulative treatment where you use your own muscles, against a precise counter-force applied by the therapist, to relax and lengthen muscles and mobilise joints.
• Strain-Counterstrain: A gentle positional technique that helps to reset overactive nerves and relieve painful muscle spasms, ideal for acute pain.
• Trigger Point Therapy: Applying direct pressure to hyperirritable spots in a muscle (trigger points) to relieve referred pain and restore normal muscle function.

The Benefits of Choosing a Hands-On Physiotherapy Approach

Integrating manual therapy into your treatment plan at Body Fix Physio Clinic offers a multitude of benefits:

• Effective Pain Relief: Directly addresses the source of pain.
• Improved Joint Mobility: Restores fluid movement to stiff joints.
• Reduced Muscle Tension and Spasm: Releases tightness in muscles and fascia.
• Decreased Inflammation and Swelling: Promotes better fluid dynamics and drainage.
• Enhanced Tissue Healing: Increases blood flow to injured areas.
• Better Movement Preparation: Prepares your body for therapeutic exercise.
• A Drug-Free Alternative: A natural approach to managing pain.

Is Manual Therapy Right For You? Conditions We Treat

Our manual physiotherapy services are highly effective for treating a wide array of conditions, including:

• Neck and Back Pain: Including sciatica, disc-related issues, and whiplash.
• Joint Pain: Such as frozen shoulder, hip impingement, and knee osteoarthritis.
• Headaches: Particularly cervicogenic headaches originating from the neck.
• Sports Injuries: Like muscle strains, tendinopathies, and ligament sprains.
• Postural Problems: Resulting from desk work or repetitive strain.
• Reduced Range of Motion: Following periods of immobilisation or surgery.

Your First Manual Therapy Session in Eastleigh

Your journey begins with a comprehensive assessment. Your physiotherapist will:

1.⁠ ⁠Take a detailed history of your condition.

2.⁠ ⁠Perform a physical examination, using palpation and movement tests to identify the problematic tissues.

3.⁠ ⁠Discuss their findings and create a personalised treatment plan.