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Can I receive manual therapy if I have arthritis?

Yes. Many people with arthritis can benefit from manual therapy as part of a comprehensive physical therapy plan. Manual therapy’s hands-on techniques can help reduce joint stiffness, improve mobility, and make daily activities more comfortable–especially when combined with targeted exercises and movement strategies. Your physical therapist will evaluate the type and severity of your arthritis, your symptoms, and your overall health before selecting the most appropriate treatment techniques for your needs.

Who is a good candidate for manual therapy?

Manual therapy is appropriate for a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, including back pain, sports injuries, and post-surgical rehabilitation. It can be particularly beneficial for people experiencing joint stiffness, muscle restriction, and reduced range of motion that makes more active treatment difficult.

Is manual therapy enough on its own to resolve my pain?

Manual therapy is typically one part of a comprehensive rehabilitation program rather than a stand-alone treatment. While hands-on techniques can reduce pain and improve movement, lasting results usually come from combining manual therapy with targeted exercises, education, and strategies to improve the way your body moves during daily activities, helping to address the factors contributing to your symptoms.

How many manual therapy sessions will I need?

The number of sessions depends on your diagnosis, symptom severity, overall health, and personal goals. Some patients notice improvements within the first few visits, while others with more complex or long-standing conditions may benefit from a longer course of care. Our team can evaluate your progress throughout treatment and adjust your plan as your mobility, strength, and function improve.

Can manual therapy help chronic pain, or is it only for new injuries?

Yes, manual therapy can benefit both acute injuries and long-standing musculoskeletal pain. For people with chronic conditions, it can help reduce joint stiffness, improve soft tissue mobility, and help make movement and physical activity more comfortable overall. When combined with therapeutic exercise and other physical therapy techniques, it plays an important role in improving function and supporting long-term symptom management.

If I Want To Continue With PT Sessions After My Pain Is Gone, Can I Do So?

• Yes, once you have completed your therapy sessions, your therapist will provide you with an at-home continuing therapy program. We can work with you on determining if equipment may be beneficial, and what exercises would be helpful in your continued recovery.

Will My Treatments Be Uncomfortable?

• Physical therapy is not meant to hurt, but to relieve pain! There is a chance, however, as you restore your mobility that your pain levels will fluctuate. Good communication with our therapist will help minimize any discomfort. Like you, we also want you on your way to full pain relief and back to normal activities as soon as possible. You might experience some temporary soreness from using muscles that are weakened or recovering. Rest assured that this is a normal response to physical therapy treatment and not a cause for concern.

When Will I Notice Pain Relief?

• Each patient’s diagnosis is different, so together with your referring physician, our therapist will develop a plan of care that is right for you.
• Your plan of care and number of visits will be determined during your first visit and explained to you by our physical therapist.

What Will My Treatments Look Like?

• With physical therapy, it is important to know that the overall goal is to restore pain-free mobility and function and to prevent an injury or pain from recurring. Our physical therapists evaluate your movement patterns, identify the cause of your pain, and work to manage or eliminate it.
• Physical therapy is a medical, hands-on approach to relieving pain and restoring function. While every patient’s condition and pain are unique, our physical therapist will use a variety of gentle hands-on techniques, exercises, and equipment to relieve pain quickly and restore your function to optimum levels.

What Conditions Can Be Treated With Physical Therapy?

• Physical therapy can be helpful in treating just about any orthopedic injury or condition you can think of, including scoliosis, sports injuries, Parkinson’s disease, vertigo, and more. Physical therapists are trained medical experts when it comes to musculoskeletal and neurological conditions. They work closely with physicians to make sure that your treatment plan is as efficient and effective as possible. Rest assured, our therapists are well trained to evaluate and treat your condition. You are in good hands!