At City Physiotherapy in Adelaide, we understand that effective treatment requires more than a one-size-fits-all approach. Our hands-on physiotherapy services are tailored to meet your needs, helping you recover faster, reduce pain, and regain mobility. Whether you’re dealing with a sports injury, chronic pain, or recovering from surgery, our skilled physiotherapists are here to provide the care you need.
What is Hands-On Physiotherapy?
Hands-on physiotherapy refers to physiotherapists’ manual techniques to treat various musculoskeletal conditions. This approach involves direct physical interaction between the therapist and the client, utilising manual therapy techniques, physiotherapy treatment, exercise therapy, and hands-on therapy such as soft tissue massage, joint mobilisation, and stretching. These techniques relieve pain, improve mobility, and support the body’s natural healing processes. Unlike passive treatments, hands-on physiotherapy actively engages your body in recovery, ensuring that each session is as practical as possible.
Benefits of Hands-On Physiotherapy
Why Choose Hands-On Physiotherapy? The benefits are numerous:
- Pain Relief: Targeted techniques help alleviate pain by reducing tension, inflammation, and stiffness.
- Improved Mobility: Hands-on therapy can restore movement in stiff joints and tight muscles, improving overall flexibility.
- Faster Recovery: By addressing the root cause of your discomfort, hands-on physiotherapy accelerates the healing process.
- Enhanced Well-being: Regular sessions can improve your overall quality of life and reduce the impact of chronic pain on your daily activities.
Conditions Treated with Hands-On Physiotherapy
- Hands-on physiotherapy effectively treats various conditions alongside our accredited exercise physiologists, including back and neck pain. Hands-on therapy can alleviate discomfort, Whether due to poor posture, injury, or chronic conditions.
- Sports Injuries: From sprains to strains, our techniques help athletes recover quickly and prevent future injuries.
- Post-Operative Rehabilitation: Hands-on physiotherapy is essential for regaining strength and mobility after surgery.
- Arthritis: Our therapists can help manage arthritis symptoms, reduce pain, and improve joint function.
- Headaches and Migraines: Manual therapy can address neck and shoulder tension contributing to headaches.
These are just a few examples of the conditions we treat. Our approach always suits your needs, ensuring the best possible outcomes.
What is Included in the Physiotherapy Consultation?
City Physiotherapy in Adelaide offers hands-on physiotherapy with various personalised treatments to restore physical function and overall wellness. We tailor techniques to suit your unique needs, from a comprehensive initial examination to creating an individualised treatment plan. We aim to enhance your movement, support your recovery, and improve your well-being, partnering with you to achieve lasting results.
These physical tests determine your:
- Range of Motion (mobility and flexibility)
- Strength
- Ligament and Joint stability
- Swelling
- Palpation (what is tender to touch)
- Reflexes, sensations
- Nerve Tests
Your physiotherapist is highly skilled at palpating your joints, muscles, nerves, and connective tissue to assess the best treatment for your aches, pains, and current symptoms.
Nonetheless, our three main manual techniques comprise the bulk of our hands-on treatment: joint mobilisation, massage, and stretching.
Joint Mobilisation and Manipulation
Joint mobilisation and manipulation involve applying controlled force to a joint to restore its function. When joints become dysfunctional due to trauma, overuse, or disuse, they lose their natural movement. Mobilisation uses gentle, back-and-forth oscillations to restore this motion. Manipulation is a more forceful technique involving a high-velocity thrust that often produces a ‘pop’ or ‘click’ sound, known as cavitation. This sound occurs when a rapid change in joint pressure causes gas bubbles in the synovial fluid to collapse.
The clinical effects of joint manipulation have been shown to include the following:
- relief of musculoskeletal pain
- unlocks joints, e.g., stiff neck/acute back sprains
- improves joint range of motion
Soft Tissue Massage, Trigger Point Massage, and Deep Tissue Massage.
Soft tissue, trigger point, and deep tissue massage are the three main types of massage we utilise during hands-on physiotherapy, including remedial massage, akin to the massage you might be familiar with. All types of massage:
- Alleviate a range of aches, pains, and injuries.
- Are targeted to specific points discerned through the initial physical examination. These points are usually directly or indirectly responsible for aches, pain, or injury.
- Involve direct physical contact of our physiotherapists’ hands with a patient’s body in varying degrees of intensity.
- Stimulate blood flow and reduce pain and inflammation in the targeted area to help the body recover from injury.
Deep tissue massage
Deep tissue massage is effective for muscle strains and sports injuries. It uses slow, deep strokes to target deeper muscle layers and connective tissues, breaking up scar tissue and relieving pain and tension.
Soft tissue massage
Soft tissue massage is gentler than deep tissue massage, using varied pressures and durations. It reduces stress, improves mental health, and promotes relaxation, making it ideal for those with lower pain tolerances.
Trigger point massage
Trigger point massage targets sensitive areas causing pain or discomfort, using hands and fingers to address these points. It helps relieve pain often referred from other body areas due to stress, poor posture, or injury.
What Hands-On/Manual Treatment Techniques Do Our Physiotherapists Utilise?
Our team comprises the best hands-on physios and health and wellness professionals in Adelaide. We use various manual treatment techniques, cutting-edge physio treatment strategies, education, and self-management advice.
- Soft tissue, trigger point & deep tissue hands-on physio treatment
- Stretching and muscle release
- Joint mobilisation & manipulation
- Remedial massage/physio massage therapy
- Trapped/pinched nerve pain physio treatment
- Anti-inflammatory physio treatment
- Strapping/sports taping
- Bracing & splints
- Pilates & core physio stability exercise classes and rehabilitation
- Postural correction and endurance muscle training
- Mindfulness and stress reduction techniques
- Pain management
- Post-surgery physio and sports injury rehab physio
- Tendon rehab
- Individual gym & clinical Pilates – reformer, trapeze & magic circle
- Functional exercise rehabilitation and training
- Hot and cold packs & electrotherapy
- Running physio & sports physiotherapy enhancement – AFL/Australian Rules Football, Basketball, Soccer, Golf, Hockey, Swimming, Dance, Netball, Cricket, Tennis, Athletics, Cycling & more
Why Choose City Physiotherapy for Hands-On Treatment?
City Physiotherapy stands out for its outstanding, hands-on techniques, personalised care, and commitment to your well-being. Our experienced physiotherapists use tailored treatments to address your unique needs and help you achieve the best results. With state-of-the-art facilities and a patient-centred approach, we’re dedicated to your recovery and overall health.
Book Your Hands-On Physiotherapy Session Today.
Ready to improve your health? Call 8212 4886 to schedule your appointment with City Physiotherapy today. Let’s get you moving better and feeling your best!
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
What Should I Expect During My First Hands-On Physiotherapy Session?
Your physiotherapist will conduct an initial assessment, discuss your symptoms, and perform diagnostic movements. This information is used to create a personalised treatment plan.
Are Hands-On Physiotherapy Treatments Safe?
Yes, hands-on physiotherapy is generally safe when performed by trained professionals. Your physiotherapist will ensure that techniques are appropriate for your condition and adjust them as needed.
What Conditions Can Hands-On Physiotherapy Treat?
Hands-on physiotherapy can address various conditions, such as back pain, neck pain, sports injuries, arthritis, and post-surgical rehabilitation. It’s also practical for managing chronic pain and improving mobility.
How Many Hands-On Physiotherapy Sessions Will I Need?
The number of sessions varies based on your condition and progress. Your physiotherapist will tailor the treatment plan to your specific needs.
Can I Continue My Regular Activities After a Physiotherapy Session?
Depending on your condition, you may be advised to avoid certain activities. Your physiotherapist will guide you to what activities are safe to continue.
