Manual Medicine

History of Manual Medicine

Manual medicine is as old as medicine itself. It was practiced in Thailand 4,000 years ago and used in ancient Egypt. Hippocrates, the founder of modern medicine, used traction and leverage techniques to treat spinal disorders. In the 19th century “bone setters” were popular in Europe and the United States. Dr. Edward Harrison, in 1784, Andrew Taylor Still, in 1874, and D.D. Palmer, in1895, began what is known today as manual medicine, Osteopathic medicine and Chiropractic respectively.

Multidisciplinary Approach to Medicine

Manual medicine diagnoses are made by chiropractors, massage therapists and physical therapists using a wide breadth of factors. A comprehensive history, detailed and specific physical examination (including Osteopathic, orthopedic, neurologic, rheumatologic and Chiropractic exams), and appropriate radiologic studies all aid in diagnosis. The use of hands to manipulate specific parts of the body allows practitioners to find alignment issues, range of motion abnormalities of mobility, tissue texture changes, circulation of fluids and energy. Manual medicine techniques are used to diagnose, treat, and prevent illness or injury. A practitioner moves a patient’s muscles and joints using techniques that include stretching, gentle pressure and resistance.

Benefits of Manual Manipulation

Manual manipulation can help people of all ages and backgrounds. The treatment can be used to ease pain, promote healing and increase overall mobility. Although often used to treat muscle pain, the treatment can also help patients with several other health problems such as:

• Asthma
• Sinus disorders
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Migraines
• Menstrual pain

Through OMT, physicians manually apply a specific amount of pressure to different regions in the body. These techniques can help:

• Treat structural and tissue abnormalities
• Relieve joint restriction and misalignment
• Restore muscle and tissue balance
• Promote the overall movement of blood flow throughout the body
• Through manual manipulation, physicians manually apply a specific amount of pressure to different regions in the body

These techniques can help:

• Treat structural and tissue abnormalities
• Relieve joint restriction and misalignment
• Restore muscle and tissue balance
• Promote the overall movement of blood flow throughout the body

The Bridge Between Traditional Medicine and Chiropractic

It is no secret that traditional medicine and chiropractic theories and practices have no always aligned. While traditional medicine may still focus on a pharmaceutical treatment modality, and chiropractic a much more holistic approach, the two fields have come to agree on one thing. Manual medicine is an effective means of healing.

Physical therapists have helped bridge that gap. While they are separated from other health practitioners because of our hands-on approach, their skills are often used to further traditional healing processes. Hands-on skills include targeted stretching, joint mobilizations, massage/soft tissue mobilization, trigger point release work, and guided strengthening and muscle re-education. All to aid in allowing the body to move properly and without pain.

At Dr. Ibolit Chiropractic, Physical Therapy & Massage, therapy sessions will focus on having you involved in your care. Exercise empowers you to be in control of your symptoms. After a thorough examination, your therapist will build you a custom program of exercises. To target specific muscular strength and mobility imbalances you may have. Your therapist is Certified in Applied Functional Science and will get you back to work and play in no time.