Manual Therapy – The modern answer to musculoskeletal problems
The Maitland Concept Manual Therapy is a comprehensive mechanism for treating musculoskeletal problems.
As a comprehensive method, it consists of all the necessary steps that will make a treatment successful:
- Obtaining a medical history
- Diagnostic tests
- Differentiation tests
- Joint mobilization techniques
- Muscle control and proprioception techniques
- Reassessments
- Reintegration into functionality and of course exercise and strengthening.
But let’s see it step by step
Manual Therapy and Clinical Reasoning
It is perhaps the most basic step in treatment because what is the point of treating a dysfunction if you don't know the exact causes?
Effective and successful treatment of the patient's problem requires the identification and resolution of all factors involved.
Clinical reasoning always begins with listening to the patient and the subjective way they feel and experience their problem.
Then a detailed medical history is taken. For example, even a simple car accident many years ago may be responsible for the severe neck pain today!
This is followed by a practical presentation of the problem and the reproduction of the symptoms with special tests.
Differentiation through the use of a sequence of clinical tests can provide important information to the experienced therapist for the formation of the appropriate rehabilitation program.
The additional use of special techniques for analyzing spinal movement (Kinetic control – Spinal movement Approach), as well as posture and gait (Gait analysis – Formthotics concept) can provide important clinical data for the targeted approach.
Manual Therapy and personalization of the treatment plan to the patient's needs
Treatment is never (and should never) be the same for everyone. An individualized treatment plan is always followed, which is constantly adjusted to the patient's response.
The application of special techniques for mobilizing stiff joints (Maitland Concept Manual Therapy – Biomechanical Approach), as well as gliding the nervous tissue (neurodynamics concept) are important axes of the treatment.
At the same time, it is necessary to address the muscle problems (Trigger Point Therapy) that are hindering the rehabilitation plan. This can be done with trigger point techniques directly or with soft tissue techniques (Muscle Energy Techniques) to relax muscle spasms.
An important part of the treatment plan is also the identification of muscle imbalances and joint instability. They are the most frequently neglected problem that unfortunately does not show up with various imaging methods. For example, back pain or a sore shoulder can be symptoms of muscle imbalance.
Personalized retraining of the appropriate muscle groups – Kinetic Control – with therapeutic exercise (with appropriate use of methods such as Clinical Pilates, Gyrokinesis) can have ideal results.
Manual Therapy – A holistic approach to the patient
Above we mentioned a number of recognized techniques that, together with special manipulations, constitute a powerful weapon in the hands of a therapist specialized in the Maitland Concept.
However, the specific Concept of Manual Therapy understands that each patient has a different psychological makeup, lives in a different social environment, and all of this must be taken into account in the therapeutic plan.
Thus, treatments are always done in such a way that they fit the biopsychosocial profile of each individual.
Information, Education and Self-Management – Manual Therapy wants patients to be active in maintaining the result and independent
The end of treatments does not mean the end of problem management. A series of treatments is a very serious investment in money, time and effort. It is a shame for all of this to be wasted and for this reason the patient should be well informed and educated in order to maintain the biomechanical changes made with manual therapy. This can be done based on 2 axes:
The first axis concerns the patient’s education on improving their daily activities. The way someone sits in a car, bends over to lift a heavy object, or stands for a long time are examples of cases where appropriate instructions are needed to improve the way the activity is performed. Many times, back pain or persistent neck pain can disappear with a simple change in daily posture.
The second axis is oriented towards therapeutic exercise. The patient’s participation in an exercise program under the guidance of a specialized therapist who will take into account his particularities, guarantees the optimal maintenance of the positive results that have been achieved. Otherwise, our therapist will provide a written, detailed exercise program for the home so that the exercise is safe and constructive.
Manual Therapy and treatment plan
Manual Therapy – Maitland Concept, is essentially a scientific system of identifying musculoskeletal problems and managing them with special mobilization and exercise techniques.
However, the organization of this system and its clinical basis is so stable and analytical that it allows us to determine the treatment plan with considerable precision from the first appointment.
This way, the patient knows what he has, is informed about the mechanism of operation of his pathology, and is presented with a specific treatment plan with a specific number, cost, and duration, as well as the expected results.
It is characteristic that patients who had been undergoing physical therapy sessions for years with the classic outdated method of using machines (ultrasound, diathermy, massage, currents), solved their problem with 5-10 sessions of manual therapy!
Visit our modern center and find an immediate solution to the musculoskeletal problem that concerns you. Whether it is a simple backache or rehabilitation of musculoskeletal problems after surgery, we have the solution!
