MANUAL TECHNIQUES

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Manual physiotherapeutic techniques include massage, myofascial release , passive joint range of motion and passive stretching.

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MASSAGE

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Effects of massage include:

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• Relieve muscular pain

• Stretch tissue adhesions, increasing tissue flexibility and extensibility, therefore improving tissue tensile strength, function and joint range of motion

• Enhance muscle repair 

• Improve scar tissue

• Improve muscle tone

• Reduce muscle spasm

• Increase muscle suppleness

• Reduce oedema and swelling

• Restore function of neuromuscular junctions

• Improve muscle performance, endurance and recovery

• Increase stride length

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PASSIVE JOINT RANGE OF MOTION

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Effects of range of motion include:​

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• Increase flexibility

• Decrease pain

• Prevent adhesions between soft tissue and bones

• Remodel periarticular fibrosis

• Improve muscle and soft tissue extensibility

• Maintain muscle mass

• Help minimise the long-term effects of disuse or immobilisation 

• Help prevent further injury to joints, muscles and tendons

• Improve synovial fluid production and diffusion

• Help promote correct collagen alignment in recovery

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PASSIVE STRETCHING

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Effects of Passive Stretching include:

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• Decrease muscle contracture

• Decrease muscle adhesions

• Prevent tissue shortening

• Reduce muscle hypertonicity

• Loosen tight muscles

• Improve relaxation of muscles

• Increase flexibility of muscle and tendon

• Re-educate muscle fibres and joints, treat injuries, address muscle tension and imbalance

• Mobilise restricted joints and improve joint ROM

• Increase stride length

• Improve postural balance

• Reduce exercise related muscle soreness.