Recovering from surgery can be tough. Whether you’ve had a joint replacement, spinal surgery, or muscle repair, your body needs time and care to heal. One powerful way to help the healing process is manual therapy. This hands-on approach improves movement, reduces pain, and helps you get back to your normal life faster.

What Is Manual Therapy?

Manual therapy is a hands-on treatment used by trained therapists. It involves gentle movements and pressure applied to muscles, joints, and soft tissues. The goal is to ease pain, reduce stiffness, and improve how your body moves. It’s often used after surgery to help people heal better and faster.

Why Use Manual Therapy After Surgery?

After surgery, your body might have:

• Swelling
• Stiff joints
• Tight muscles
• Scar tissue
• Weakness

These issues can slow down your recovery and make daily tasks harder. Manual therapy helps with:

1. Breaking down scar tissue
2. Improving joint movement
3. Helping the body heal faster
4. Getting you back to your normal activities

1. Reducing Scar Tissue

After surgery, the body forms scar tissue. Too much scar tissue can make it hard to move and may cause pain. Manual therapy techniques like myofascial release and massage help break down this tissue. This keeps your muscles soft and your joints flexible.

2. Improving Joint Movement

Surgery can make your joints feel tight or stiff. Therapists use joint mobilization and stretching to help restore your range of motion. These gentle techniques loosen tight areas, reduce pain, and help your joints move better.

3. Boosting Healing with Better Blood Flow

Healing needs good blood flow. Manual therapy boosts circulation, bringing oxygen and nutrients to injured tissues. This helps your body heal faster. Gentle massage and soft tissue work can also reduce swelling, especially after leg or back surgeries.

4. Helping Muscles Work Properly Again

After surgery, your muscles might forget how to work the right way. Manual therapy helps “re-train” your muscles and nerves. This is called neuromuscular re-education. It helps your body move safely and naturally again.

Which Surgeries Benefit Most from Manual Therapy?

Manual therapy is helpful after many types of surgery, such as:

• Knee, hip, or shoulder replacement
• Back or neck surgery
• ACL or meniscus repair
• Rotator cuff surgery
• Hand, wrist, or ankle surgery
• Abdominal surgery

Your treatment plan will depend on the type of surgery and your personal recovery goals.

Why Choose Manual Therapy Associates?

At Manual Therapy Associates, we offer custom recovery programs for each patient. Our skilled therapists use proven manual therapy techniques to speed up healing and reduce pain. We work closely with you to make sure you recover safely and feel your best.

Start Healing Today

If you’ve had surgery—or are planning one—consider adding manual therapy to your recovery plan. It can help you feel better, move better, and heal faster.

Contact Manual Therapy Associates today to book an appointment and take the first step in your recovery journey.

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