Friday, November 27, 2009

Manual Therapy

Well most of you probably know that I am in the process of getting my manual therapy certification. Many of you have asked what that exactly is, and I didn't feel I had a very good explanation for you. I started my coursework 2 years ago, attending 3 day weekend courses about every 4 months. Throughout the coursework, we are expected to take online tests. This all leads up to the mac daddy of tests - the Level III oral practical!!! It makes me sweat and bite my nails just thinking about it. Once I pass my 2 hour oral practical and written exam, I will be an official CMT (certified manual therapist).

I found this exert online and though it described manual therapy really well. Manual therapy is a broad group of skilled hand techniques performed by a physical therapist, which include mobilizations or manipulations of soft tissue and skeletal joints. Manual therapy techniques aim to decrease pain, swelling, and inflammation and aim to increase muscle, joint, fascia and neural functional mobility. Manual therapy in short refers to hands on treatment of muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints. Patients that receive manual therapy report a greater decrease in pain, improved functional improvement and increased perceived improvement as compared to those patients who did not receive manual therapy.

Hope this clears some things and gives you a better idea of what I'm working towards. This next year will be one of a lot of studying as I prepare for my level III oral practical. Wish me luck!

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