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Manual Therapy Specialist

Advantage Physical Therapy -  - Physical Therapist

Advantage Physical Therapy

Physical Therapists serving Falls Church, Annandale, Arlington, VA, and the surrounding areas

The physical therapists at Advantage Physical Therapy, located in Falls Church, Annandale, Arlington, VA, and the surrounding areas, use manual therapy techniques to treat patients from throughout Northern Virginia and the Washington, DC Metro area.

Manual Therapy Q & A

What is manual therapy?

Manual therapy is a technique used in physical therapy where the therapist uses his or her hands, instead of a device or machine, to manipulate muscle, soft tissue, and joints to decrease pain due to muscle spasm, tension, or joint dysfunction. Manual therapy restores mobility to stiff joints and muscles and can be helpful in treating joints with a limited range of motion. Manual therapy techniques can be used all over the body including the spine, shoulders, legs, and neck. Manual therapy is divided into soft tissue work which includes massage to relax muscles, increase circulation, break up scar tissue, and ease pain. Mobilization is the other component which uses measured movements of varying speed and force to twist, pull, or push bones and joints into the correct position. These manipulations can loosen the tight muscles surrounding the joint, reducing the discomfort while returning the normal range of motion.

How can manual therapy help me?

Manual therapy can help with injuries or muscle spasms. This hands-on approach is what makes physical therapists different from other health practitioners. Therapists use hands-on tactics like stretching, massage, and strengthening to encourage and retrain the body to follow correct movement and mechanics. It is an essential part of physical therapy treatments. For example, if a patient has a back injury, the therapist may use manual massage techniques to relieve muscle tension or spasm to reduce pain. Then the therapist may guide the patient through back strengthening exercises with hands-on support and guidance.

How is manual therapy different from massage?

Manual therapy incorporates massage as part of a therapeutic treatment for a specific diagnosed condition and is delivered by a certified physical therapist. Manual therapy treats joints that are stiff and painful, including the spine, shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, and ankle. The physical therapist will work with the patient to customize a program of treatment to aid recovery both in terms of relieving symptoms and also treating the root cause of the discomfort. Massage is the rhythmic application of pressure to the skin and soft tissue to reduce tension and improve circulation and relaxation.

Major Insurance Providers Accepted

At Advantage Physical Therapy, we accept most major medical insurance plans. Here is a short-list of just some of the most popular plans we accept. Please contact our office if you do not see your insurance provider listed below.

If you are looking to schedule an appointment with Women’s Health, we only accept medical insurance through Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO/PPO, Tricare, and Veterans Administration.

Contact us!

Aetna
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO/PPO
Department of Labor
Medicare
Tricare