Why Manual Therapy Combined With Exercise is Key for Treatment and Faster Recovery 

Traditionally, when referring to chiropractic care, one thinks of a “chiropractic adjustment”. Sports chiropractic has evolved to incorporate a more versatile and a modern-day approach that includes manual therapy combined with exercise to improve patient outcomes. Manual therapy includes soft tissue therapy techniques and joint manipulation to allow patients to recover from an injury faster.

Here at Team Elite Chiropractic, this modern-day approach is what we have adopted and applied to our practice to help patients live their healthiest lives and perform at their fullest potential.

So, why soft tissue therapy and joint manipulation?

When a patient gets injured or has been dealing with a chronic complaint, there is usually pain and a lack of joint mobility causing limitations in their activities of daily living. Soft tissue therapy can include a variety of techniques such as cupping, myofascial release, instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization, laser therapy, and many others. These techniques aid in helping to decrease pain, improve tissue mobility and elasticity, decrease muscle tightness, and improve joint mobility.

When the soft tissue is relieved, joint manipulation can be used to correct any restrictions on a specific joint. Utilizing a careful and controlled amount of force, the doctor will apply a manipulation to the joint to relieve restriction and improve function of the joint. Joint manipulation can be administered using different techniques and can be applied to both the spine and extremities. Depending on the patient’s complaint, different techniques will be used. Here at Team Elite, we utilize techniques such as Diversified, Drop piece, Mulligan strap mobilization, and Voodoo floss/wrap mobilization. These techniques can be performed on both the spine and extremities depending on the patient’s needs. 

Following manual therapy, exercise is essential to help stabilize the joint and strengthen the surrounding musculature. Exercises are a way to improve function by re-establishing motor patterns for improved gait, posture, and movement. This phase of care allows the patient to take an active role in their treatment plan and build the foundation to avoid future injury and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Soft tissue therapy and joint manipulation play a big role in patient outcomes and overcoming pain and dysfunction. Manual therapy in combination with exercise helps improve function and speed up recovery. Here at Team Elite Chiropractic, we pride ourselves on including these aspects to our care plans to help patients achieve their goals to live a pain-free, active lifestyle.

Connect with Team Elite

If you are experiencing pain or would like to take your care plan to the next level, please call or schedule an appointment online!