Manual Techniques

Your health will be considered under the
Three Pillars of overall well-being:

Biomechanical

Optimal posture, movement patterns, ergonomics, habits, sports and recreation and even sleep habits

Biochemical

The intake of healthy food, fluids, and air. The ideal internal processing of these elements, resulting in homeostasis

Psychosocial

Positive emotions, feelings, moods, and fun experiences

Optimal health depends on the balance of these vital components. Techniques are personalized for each patient and each patient-visit depending on how the person is feeling. Sessions are client-focused, with great attention to detail, with regular communication and feedback, enabling refinement and accuracy of the bodywork.

Manual Therapy Overview

Initial Intake

  • Detailed health history.
  • Comprehensive Q&A.
  • Compilation of all perpetuating factors.

Postural and movement evaluation

  • Bony landmarks that make up your posture.
  • Joint range of motion that defines the way you move.
  • Special testing for balance, stability, and nerve entrapment.

Pain Evaluation

  • Various pain questionnaires.
  • Palpation of local and peripheral tissue.
  • Measurement of subjective pain using an algometer and pressure-pain thresholds.
  • Measurements, comparing baseline and subsequent improvements.

Manual techniques for acute phase pain

  • Postural assessment.
  • Light touch soft tissue mobilization
  • Gentle rhythmic jostling, vibration, lifting, cupping, and snapping techniques.
  • Instrument-assisted distraction techniques using devices like the spiky roller, Chinese soup spoon, electric buffer, hot and cold, and stretch with ice.
  • So called ‘baby-steps’ (or pre-PT) movement reintroduction.

Longstanding Chronic Phase Pain

  • Skin rolling
  • Neuromuscular techniques
  • Trigger point deactivation
  • Pin and stretch
  • Myofascial release
  • Various reinforcement techniques

Movement Techniques

  • Measurement of initial range of motions; active, passive, and resisted.
  • Assisted stretch, often using a strap or rope.
  • Various movement patterns based on the work of Feldenkrais and Hanna.
  • Personalized exercises, often performed asymmetrically.
  • Free weights, flex bars, stability ball, and body-weight exercises.
  • Balance pads, acumats, pods and other devices to improve balance and proprioception

Homecare Activities

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Baby steps for a gentle reintroduction to movement

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Self-pressure techniques with balls or canes

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Targeted self-stretches and movements

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Stability and strengthening exercises

See more on the Homecare page.