Manual Therapy
Treatment offered by Ria Keinert

What is Manual Therapy?

Manual Therapy refers to several techniques that involve hands-on manipulation of parts of the patient's body by the practitioner, in order to release tension. Three of these techniques offered at HealthWise Resources are Craniosacral Therapy, Myofascial Release, and Visceral Manipulation.

Craniosacral Therapy (CST)
Treatment offered by Ria Keinert

CST is a gentle, hands-on way to evaluate and improve physical function via the deepest system of the body, the craniosacral system. The craniosacral system includes the protective membranes around the brain and spinal cord. These structures have a natural rhythm that circulates nourishing cerebrospinal fluid. If this fluid is flowing smoothly, the body is in harmony; if the fluid flow is restricted, pain and dysfunction may result.

CST practitioners release tightness in the craniosacral system to improve the functioning of the central nervous system. CST is done by using the hands to introduce a very light touch, about the pressure of a nickel, on different parts of the body, from head to foot.

See also Visceral Manipulation and Myofascial Release.

Further Information:

• The Upledger Institute
• Craniosacral Therapy Association of North America

Myofascial Release (MFR)
Treatment offered by Ria Keinert

MFR treatment involves gentle to not-so-gentle manipulation of the fascia. Fascia is a connective tissue that covers all organs, nerves and muscles. When muscle fibers are injured, the fibers and the fascia which surrounds it become short and tight. Fascia pulls with tremendous power, 2000 lbs. per square inch. This uneven stress can be transmitted through the fascia to other parts of the body, causing pain and a variety of other symptoms in areas you often wouldn't expect. MFR treats these symptoms by releasing the uneven tightness in injured fascia.

MFR is used to treat patients with a variety of soft tissue problems, including

• chronic pain
• headaches
• myofascial pain
• posture problems
• back pain
• carpal tunnel syndrome

and many others.

The therapist uses refined manual skills and intuition to learn how much force to use, the direction of the stretch and how long to stretch. Small areas of muscle are stretched at a time. Sometimes the therapist uses only two fingers to stretch a small part of a muscle. The therapist waits for the tissue to relax and then gently increases the stretch. The process is repeated until the area is fully relaxed. Then, the next area is stretched. Most patients find MFR to be a very relaxing and satisfying form of treatment.

MFR is not massage. MFR is used to equalize tissue tension throughout the body. Unequal tensions compress nerves and muscles causing pain. The release achieved in the tissue is a permanent result, not a temporary quick-fix. Progress is measured by a decrease in the patient's pain and by an improvement in posture and feeling of well-being.

See also CranioSacral Therapy and Visceral Manipulation.

Further Information:

• http://www.myofascial-release.com

Visceral Manipulation (VM)
Treatment offered by Ria Keinert

VM is a gentle hands-on therapy that locates restrictions or imbalances involving the organs (viscera), their supportive connective tissues, or the musculoskeletal system of the body. When one organ cannot move in harmony with its surroundings, it works against all the body's organs and structures. This disharmony creates points of tension that the body is forced to move around. That chronic irritation, in turn, paves the way for disease and dysfunction. VM helps restore normal function and tone to the organs, and often relieves long-standing pain anywhere from the hips up into the neck, shoulders and arms.

In addition to removing blockages and restoring balance, VM is usually very relaxing, and most clients leave a session feeling peaceful and in touch with a deeper part of themselves.

A VM session usually takes place in a quiet, private setting. VM is very gentle; the therapist uses a light touch, sustained for a period of time, to help the tissues relax and lengthen without creating guarding or resistance in the body.

Many clients will experience various sensations of pressure, movement and release. Occasionally there may be brief sensations of mild discomfort, usually just prior to a release. Upon release, the client often experiences a sensation of relaxation, aliveness and spaciousness in the area being treated.

Individual responses to a VM treatment vary. Some clients may feel like taking a nap, others may experience an increase in energy. Some may feel an immediate reduction of pain or increase in function, others may notice a gradual improvement over the next few days. Since VM helps the body resume its natural healing processes, it is not unusual for improvement to continue for a week or two after a session.

See also CranioSacral Therapy and Myofascial Release.

Further Information:

• The VM section of the Upledger Institute web site
• The VM section of the Craniocean web site