Manual therapy, as well as other methods of treatment, has its advantages and disadvantages. The main advantage of this technique is the rapid relief of pain and relief of the patient’s condition. When the nerves are pinched, an experienced master literally relieves a person from pain and discomfort in the back and neck in 15-30 minutes.
The main disadvantage of the procedure is its complexity. If this manipulation is performed incorrectly, compression of the vertebral vessels or spinal roots is possible. Even a spinal cord injury is not excluded. Especially dangerous are „defects“ in the cervical spine, as they can lead to death or disability of the patient.
Indications for manual therapy
Techniques of manual influence on the musculoskeletal system help to improve the condition of patients:
- with headaches, dizziness;
- osteochondrosis;
- intervertebral hernias;
- curvature of the spine;
- defects in posture;
- sciatica;
- venous insufficiency;
- diseases of the joints;
- pain and tension in the muscles.
Contraindications to manual therapy
The method is not applied in the case of:
- recent spinal fractures;
- acute rheumatism;
- disorders of cerebral circulation;
- diseases of Bekhterev;
- oncological diseases;
- blood diseases;
- the period of pregnancy and breastfeeding;
- hypertension;
- recently suffered a heart attack or stroke;
- acute gastrointestinal diseases.
What does manual therapy do and when to wait for the result?
For diagnosis, the chiropractor uses his own hands, however, if the patient has the results of previous instrumental studies and analyzes, it is better to take them with you.
The procedure lasts an average of 45 minutes. After it, the ease of movement returns, the tension in the muscles and pain disappear. A noticeable therapeutic effect occurs after 2-3 visits.
People with physical inactivity are recommended to undergo manual therapy 2-3 times a year for 6-10 sessions. If there are problems with the musculoskeletal system, 3 courses of 15-20 procedures are necessary. The interval between visits is 1-7 days.
Sometimes after the procedure, the patient may experience painful sensations in the area of study. This is due to the fact that one muscle group begins to work more actively, and the other gets rid of increased tension. In general, severe pain should not occur either during the procedure or after it
Therapy can help only in the first three stages, if the patient has the final stage of the disease, then it will no longer make sense. At the very beginning, the doctor should stretch the muscles, after which he begins to stretch them.
Thanks to these manipulations, muscle spasms are eliminated, local blood circulation improves. Then the therapy itself begins, which includes methods of mobilization, manipulation, massage and functional correction.
Manual therapy, known since time immemorial, is a really effective tool in the fight against diseases of the musculoskeletal system. The big advantage of this method is that only specially trained specialists should be engaged in treatment. If all the requirements are met, the result can be seen after a couple of sessions.
