Manual Therapy
Hands-On Physical Therapy Techniques
Dry Needling
Trigger point dry needling uses a tiny needle to release a tender point within a muscle. It is a safe and effective treatment for muscle spasm or trigger points. With this procedure, the therapist inserts the needle through the skin into the muscle at the point of tenderness which helps to release the muscle and provide pain relief and improve muscle function. It can also be inserted into the skin (called superficial needling) for short term pain relief or management of scar tissue.
Myofascial Release and Deep Tissue Mobilization
Myofascial release is a manual therapy technique that targets the layer of connective tissue between the skin and muscle where inflammatory waste products can become trapped and contribute to pain and muscle dysfunction. With this technique, mild to moderate pressure is applied to specifically target the fascia, or connective tissue. This helps release the fascia in all planes of movement to allow the underlying muscle to move more freely. Deep tissue mobilization is another manual therapy technique that utilizes deeper pressure into the muscle to break up muscle tension. Both of these techniques may be done using the hands or other massage tools, including rollers, gua sha or scraping tools, or percussion tool/massage gun.
Trigger Point Release
A trigger point is defined as a tender nodule and taught band within a muscle that many times refers pain to another area. An example would be if you have a trigger point in your upper trapezius muscle and when touched causes pain into the neck or even a headache. Trigger points can be present even when the muscle is flexible, and often times does not release when the muscle is stretched. Trigger point release can be done using dry needling or manual techniques to target the specific taught band.
Visceral Mobilization
Viscera, which refers to internal organs and tissues and their surrounding support structures, have physiologic movement and physical movement within our bodies. This normal movement may be disrupted by many things, including trauma, physiologic abnormalities, surgery or even just abnormal movement patterns. This special method of manual therapy is very gentle and is meant to help restore the proper physiologic and physical movement of the organs and tissues surrounding the organs. The therapists hands are placed on the skin overlying the organ and slow, gentle energy work is done to address specific needs. Amy is trained in gynecological visceral manipulation, which includes the organs of the pelvis (bladder, uterus, ovaries and rectum.)
Muscle Energy Techniques
Muscle energy has long been used in physical therapy and manual therapy practice. It uses isometric (no movement occurring) activation of muscles in specific postures to help lengthen or release the muscle, and can have a positive effect on postural alignment. With this technique, the therapist places the patient in a specific position which is dependent on what muscle is being treated. The patient is then asked to generate gentle pressure against the resistance of the therapist. It is a very gentle and safe technique and can be quite effective.
Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM)
IASTM refers to the use of tools to help mobilize any soft tissue structure, including skin, fascia, muscle or connective tissue. The most common tool used for this is sometimes referred to as a muscle scraper. It is a metal instrument that comes in many shapes and sizes with a beveled edge that is used to work into the soft tissue above the muscle, which is the fascia and connective tissue. The therapist uses this in areas where there may be fascial restrictions, inflammation, scarring or other conditions where this would be warranted.
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