What is Manual Physiotherapy anyway?

What is Manual Physiotherapy?

 You might have noticed that the phrase “manual physiotherapy” is associated with our clinic. Interestingly, we are frequently asked, ‘What is manual physiotherapy and how is it different from other forms of physiotherapy?’ These are great questions but the answers aren’t necessarily as simple as you might think.

First and foremost, the term manual physiotherapy indicates that someone is trained to use their hands as treatment tools. This isn’t all that different from manual labor and using a shovel to dig a hole when compared to, for example, utilizing a machine such as a backhoe. To a certain extent all physiotherapists use hands-on techniques but some of us have more advanced training in this part of our profession. So, in short, we are hands-on experts within physiotherapy. One of the results of this is that when you come to the clinic you can anticipate more one-on-one time with a highly skilled physiotherapist than you would find in an environment where each clinician provides more hands-off treatments.

 

This answer, however, is only the beginning. We are certified Fellows of the Canadian Academy of Manual Physiotherapy (FCAMPT; https://manippt.org). As Fellows of the Academy, we have completed internationally recognized specialty training that involves both classroom and clinical training on all anatomical regions. This type of training also includes advanced education in therapeutic exercise, pain science, advances in scientific research, and clinical reasoning, the last of which might also be described as skillful thinking. In short, education programs recognized by the Academy are designed to teach an already registered physiotherapist how to evaluate and treat patients with greater effectiveness and efficiency. The end result is that Fellows are better able to identify and resolve the problems that patients bring to a physiotherapy clinic, which is why we think you should always keep us in mind when you are having any type of body pains or should you specifically need to see a physio.

 

Don't be shy if you have any questions, we would love to hear from you. You can contact us by phone at 613-363-1696 or e-mail at shannon@shannonmarion.ca or stephen@shannonmarion.ca.

 

If you are feeling the need to have that manual therapy itch scratched, you can also book online below.

Book Now!

Introducing Steve

I am so happy to be sharing

this exciting news!

The clinic is growing.  Stephen Shaffer, PT ScD, FCAMPT, has recently joined me to offer a manual therapy approach to physiotherapy for all your aches and pains.  If you have a musculoskeletal problem of your spine, limb or jaw, Steve can likely help you.  He is a clinical specialist of the neck, jaw and headache pain.  He joins me from High Point University in North Carolina where he was a clinical supervisor and instructor.  Find out more information by clicking to his bio below.

Stephen Shaffer-bio 

If you are having any of those aches and pains that need to be worked out or you know someone who is in pain or injured, 

please think of us.  

We are thrilled to be accepting new patients.

May I introduce you to the newest member of our misfit crew, without further ado...

Mr. Stephen Shaffer

 

 

I am pleased to announce that in early June I joined Shannon Marion Physiotherapy.
In addition to being a clinical expert in spine and extremity pain, I am excited to bring my expertise in the evaluation and management of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) to Cornwall.

This group of problems, which is often called “TMJ”, affects the jaw joint and surrounding tissues. While joint popping or clicking is the most commonly recognized symptom of TMD, according to research it is also the least alarming. Evidence suggests that treating problems associated with joints, muscles, and/or tendons can generate more benefit for patients than focusing on the popping sound made by the disc. The primary benefits of physiotherapy services typically include decreased pain and increased function such as improved mouth opening and eating tolerance.
Importantly, we know from decades of scientific research that TMJ problems are linked to both neck pain and headaches, which means it is often if not always crucial to evaluate and manage all three of these areas if promoting maximum benefit is the goal.
Furthermore, while it should not be stated that successfully treating problems such as jaw and neck pain is guaranteed to resolve severe headaches such as migraines, doing so is often feasible. In fact, a common link between migraine headaches, TMJ problems, and chronic neck pain is a phenomenon known as central sensitization. This commonality between what otherwise appears to be separate diagnoses could explain why treating these problems simultaneously is helpful.
Central sensitization is a form nerve hypersensitivity that results in the brain being overly receptive to input. Stated otherwise, when the brain becomes overly sensitive seemingly benign stimuli such as a gentle touch, a light that is too shiny, or a tight joint can trigger a massive pain response. Addressing the orthopaedic complaints associated with head, neck, and jaw pain can calm down the brain and spinal cord sufficiently to partially or completely overcome this type of hypersensitivity.
In addition, each of these conditions typically benefits from addressing what are called psychosocial variables. These variables include but are not limited to such things as sleep dysfunction, stress, medication overuse, and a lack of pain science knowledge. Luckily, researchers have spent decades investigating these topics and a lot is known about how to successfully address them. Tendons can be massaged, joints can be stretched, nerves can be desensitized, and patients can be educated, all of which generally helps people feel better and restore their normal daily routines. Regarding the array of treatment options, manual physiotherapy might be the most intriguing. There is a large body of work that informs us about how a physiotherapist with advanced clinical training can use their hands to address many of the variables at play. While not all people with diagnoses such as TMJ problems, neck pain, and/or headaches will respond perfectly to these treatments, most people can and do get better, which is the type of information that should give people hope.

 

Movement Manifesto

This creative piece was written from inspiration for inspiration.   

Find a movement practice that you love, show up consistently, remember the big picture “why” you are doing it and reap the health benefits.   

Thanks to the folks at Mindful Strength and Caveman Strong for helping me make it happen.

Movement Manifesto

I move to connect with myself, To fully feel the space I occupy, To feel awe in my capabilities. I move to experience joy,             To be taken away by the music, To feel the notes sway in my body, To Twist and Shout, to Charleston,                              to Plié. To cut a rug, to shake it off. I move to be part of my surroundings,             To plant, to pluck, to prune, to pick, to dig,             To delight in finding the perfect carrots and beets, To tear from the earth and serve at my table. I move to play,             To leap frog,             To hula, To race, To skip, To dive. I move to care,             To launder, to scrub, to polish To pick up, to put away To deep clean. I move to interact with nature,             To pop up onto a rock, To tip toe on a log, To defy gravity, To behold the sights,

I move to dream,             Of mermaids,             Of ninjas,             Of astronauts,             Of soaring,             Of singing, I move to travel,             To conquer a hill on my bike, To hike a summit, To swim across the bay, To walk through a festival. I move to be free,             To be a weekend warrior,             To snowshoe, To paddle,             To ski,             To luge,             To run,             To do what I want, when I want. I move to feel,              Powerful, fearless and fierce              Agile and lighthearted,              Mobile, flexible and present              Balanced, clear and calm. I move to love, To belly laugh, To be silly, To geek out, To hold hands, To hug, To pet, To reach out, To pull in. I move to live, I move to feel alive.

Is this clinic right for you?

 

 This clinic is for anyone who may have had an injury years ago that started small and has been growing or is flared up. You might have pain with movement, pain with certain types of activities or problems sleeping. You might be taking medication for the pain. You might be skeptical that anything can be done to change things. You might feel a little overwhelmed by all the choices out there offering pain relief.

 You may be noticing that your problem is taking up more and more space in your life by forcing you to give up activities that you love. You have been inspired to take action to take better care of yourself - take your life back.