Manual Therapy at Now I Can

Now I Can therapists provide the hands-on evaluation and personalized therapy your child deserves. Applying the newest innovations, our physical therapists use manual therapy as a tool to prepare the body to achieve better range of motion or improved alignment. We use a combination of massage and pressure point techniques to target joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons, fascia, and lymphatic fluid in areas affected by neuromuscular disorders, faulty movement patterns, or injury.

These hands-on therapies help to alleviate pain, stiffness, spasticity, swelling, guarding, and other imbalances.

 

Soft Tissue Mobilization and Myofascial Release

Soft Tissue Mobilization restores mechanical movement and increases range of motion by releasing tension within scar tissue and fascia. Fascia are sheets of fibrous tissue that surround and support muscles by separating them into layers. Neuro disorders and injury may cause both fascia and muscles to shorten, restricting movement and blood flow. Our soft tissue mobilization and Myofascial Release techniques apply different levels and directions of pressure to target areas resulting in the breakdown of muscle adhesions.

Joint Mobilization

When joint structures are out of alignment they may interfere with normal range of motion by introducing mechanical hiccups like “sliding “or “pivoting.”

Using small and specific movements, our physical therapists manually move a target synovial joint through natural levels of resistance. These motions stretch and strengthen the tissue surrounding the joint bone—normalizing joint motion, reducing spasms, and controlling pain.

Strain-Counterstrain

The goal of the Strain-Counterstrain technique is to correct postural and structural issues originating from abnormal neuromuscular reflexes. It uses passive body positioning of muscles in spasm and repositions them toward ease that shortens the muscle. The purpose of shortening the muscle is to relax the reflexes that produce muscle spasm. In return, muscle tone begins to develop while joints gain greater range of motion and muscle pain reduces. This extremely gentle but effective technique of “releasing” muscles and connective tissue was developed by Dr. Lawrence Jones. 

Muscle Energy Techniques

Muscle energy is an active technique used to reposition a dysfunctional joint and treat the surrounding muscles. It can be used to lengthen a shortened or spastic muscle or mobilize a joint that is stiff or restricted. The patient is guided through performing a specific muscle contraction against a resistive barrier (the physical therapist’s manual contact with the joint.) This process is repeated until visible muscle stretch and increased range of motion is achieved.

Manual techniques utilized in Now I Can clinics:

 

  • Acupressure

  • Craniosacral Therapy

  • Lymphatic Drainage

  • Massage

  • Myofascial Release

  • Muscle Energy Techniques

  • Muscle Stretching

  • Soft Tissue Mobilization

  • Strain-Counterstrain

  • Visceral Manipulation

 

Zack’s Story

 

Get Started Today

The team at Now I Can looks forward to speaking with you to discuss how your child can reach their highest potential. Schedule a free consultation now.