MANUAL THERAPY & ANSWERS TO FAQS

Trigger Point Therapy is a manual physical therapy technique that is more advanced and takes advanced training in anatomy and pathology to perform safely. Trigger point therapy consists of two main methods including a hands-on massage or dry needling. In the first technique, one of our certified team physical therapists will release these painful points with a hands-on massage. In dry needling sessions, one of our specifically-trained practitioners at Physique will insert sterile acupuncture needles in a trigger point to manipulate and release painful tension.

Yes, every physique team member is trained in massage (also known as manual therapy). At Physique, our physical therapy clients typically receive massage/manual therapy as part of their treatment.  

Our physical therapists use their advanced manual techniques and training in anatomy and pathology to improve and rehabilitate muscle and joint strength, mobility, and function for long term pain relief and recovery.

Physical therapy massage (also known as manual therapy) is hands-on techniques that relieve pain, increase range of motion, and reduce soft tissue inflammation. Physical Therapy massage types and techniques include:

• Trigger point release: As the name implies, trigger point therapy involves identifying and releasing specific trigger points in the body that cause pain. This includes dry needling.
• Soft tissue massage: Soft tissue massage involves direct physical pressure on the muscle and other soft tissues of the body. 
• Myofascial releasex: Myofascial release is a technique in which the therapist uses their hands to place slow, sustained pressure on a muscle that is stiff and painful. The manual pressure loosens, lengthens, and realigns tight, stiff myofascial muscles.
• Joint manipulation: A quick, thrust-style technique that takes a joint beyond its normal range of motion in order to improve mobility and (in some cases) help with pain. Similar to chiropracter techniques, but not the same.
• Joint mobilization: Slower, repetitive oscillations within a joint’s range of motion limits that promote mobility and increase the range of motion in a joint.
• Passive stretching: Extending or lengthening a muscle or group of muscles to improve range of motion and increase flexibility in an area.

Yes, in Florida, you can see a physical therapist without a referral for up to six weeks. You can also choose to pay cash for one of our physical therapy programs. This way you can continue a program with physical therapy without ever needing a physician’s referral.

Yes, ​​you can choose to pay cash for one of our physical therapy programs. This way you can continue a program with physical therapy without ever needing to involve your insurance.

Some types of physical therapy manual massage therapy techniques can be painful and leave bruising. Specifically, trigger point therapy can be one of the most effective, but also most uncomfortable techniques. Trigger points are painful, tense areas that are found in muscles and fascia. We use two primary methods for treating trigger points; Manual Trigger Point Therapy and Dry Needling. In our Manual Trigger Point Therapy, a certified team member will release these painful points with a hands-on massage. In Dry Needling sessions, one of our specifically-trained practitioners at Physique will insert sterile acupuncture needles in a trigger point to manipulate and release painful tension.

We will stop immediately if at any point you say that you are uncomfortable or would prefer a different treatment.

Our manual therapy is often our clients’ favorite part of our physical therapy program. These hands-on techniques relieve pain, increase range of motion, and reduce soft tissue inflammation. Our techniques include: 

• Massage therapy 
• Joint mobilization
• Joint manipulation
• Dry needling
• Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization
• Trigger point therapy
• Myofascial release

Our physical therapists all possess a clinical Doctorate of Physical Therapy or equivalent Ph.D. in addition to a professional license to practice physical therapy. So, yes, a physical therapist is a doctor with the training and credentials to practice safely and effectively.

In-home physical therapy addresses your unique condition in the comfort of your home, with programs to improve your physical abilities and make the activities of daily living more manageable. This therapy benefits those who’ve suffered a stroke or injury, had orthopedic surgery, or are living with a chronic condition. * Please contact us to book.

The differences between massage therapy at a spa and physical therapy massage techniques (also known as manual therapy) are:

• PT massage/manual techniques are provided by our licensed physical therapists who use their advanced training in anatomy and pathology to care for your body’s unique needs.
• PT massage/manual techniques improve and rehabilitate muscle and joint strength, mobility, and function for long term pain relief and recovery.
• Massage at a spa provides relief from muscle pain and tension on a more short-term basis. 

At Physique, our physical therapy clients often receive massage therapy (also known as manual therapy) as part of their treatment. If you have a specific illness, injury, chronic pain, or other condition physical therapy manual techniques are a better fit for you.

Dry needling is a safe, effective and efficient treatment that can give you immediate pain relief and help you get back to exercising with increased mobility. The process of dry needling involves the insertion, manipulation, and (at times) electric stimulation of a “dry” needle in a trigger point to produce a local twitch response (LTR) through the spinal cord reflex. This releases tension in your tight muscles and/or stimulates your under-active or weak muscles. The result is muscle relaxation and pain relief.

At Physique, we diagnose the root of your pain and use a mix of active and passive back pain treatments.

Active treatments include:

• Corrective exercise and functional training
• Which may include:
• Quad sets and straight leg raises
• Lower extremity stretches
• Balance exercises
• Exercises to strengthen your hips (Your hip muscles help control the position of your knees.)

Passive treatments include:

• Massage therapy
• Hot and cold therapy
• Soft tissue and lumbar mobilization
• Dry needling

The most common causes of knee pain are injuries like torn ACLs, sprains and fractures. Other common causes include: 

• Meniscal tear
• Patellofemoral pain
• Patellar tendonitis
• Osgood-Schlatter’s Disease 
• IT-band syndrome
• Arthiritis
• Gout
• Ligament Injuries like ACL tears and sprains, MCL tears and sprains, PCL tears and sprains, LCL tears and sprains

Yes! Physical therapy is a major way to help and improve the symptoms of sciatica. Treatments for sciatica can vary based on your symptoms and the cause.  At Physique, physical therapy for sciatica will be a custom program including:

• Active treatments like corrective exercise and stretching which can improve your flexibility, posture, strength, and joint movement. These treatments typically include: core stability exercises, stretching and flexibility exercises, muscle strengthening.
• Passive treatments like manual massage therapy techniques help reduce pain and relieve tension. These treatments typically include: manual massage, hot and cold therapy, electrical stimulation, and traction.
• Sometimes devices such as supportive pads, heating pads, ice packs, or external back braces may be helpful.

At Physique, we have certified back and neck posture specialists.  if you’re looking for help with sciatica click below to book an appointment.

Dry needling is used to treat: 

• Headaches, Neck and Jaw Pain
• Shoulder Pain
• Elbow Pain
• Hand / Wrist Pain
• Back Pain
• Hip / Knee Pain
• Shin / Ankle / Foot Pain
• Chronic Pain
• Athletic and Sports overuse Injuries
• Post-trauma Injuries, Motor Vehicle Accidents (MVA), and Work Injuries

At Physique, we diagnose the root of your pain and use a mix of active and passive back pain treatments.

Active treatments include:

• Corrective exercise and functional training (e.g. core strengthening excercises, stretching and flexibility exercises and muscle strengthening exercises)

Passive treatments include:

• Massage therapy
• Hot and cold therapy
• Soft tissue and lumbar mobilization
• Dry needling

Upper and lower back pain is typically the result of malfunction of part(s) of your back. Common back pain causes:

• Back strains or sprains
• Herniated discs, slipped discs or bulging discs
• Sciatica
• Arthritis
• Pinched nerve or nerve damage of the back
• Back abnormalities
• Degenerative disc disease
• Trauma

Physical therapy is treatment to help you recover from an injury, relieve persistent pain, restore strength and range of motion, and manage chronic conditions. It includes diagnosis and evaluation of your condition and what treatments should be used. At Physique, our program includes:

• Corrective exercise
• Functional training
• Manual therapy (e.g. massage)
• Dry needling
• Patient education
• In-home therapy (*Contact us to book)

Our initial physical therapy for a herniated disc or bulging disc may provide some immediate symptom relief. In our experience we see results after 6 weeks and lasting results after 10-18 weeks. This was also found in a study where improvements in pain and overall function after 6 weeks of physical therapy for a lumbar disc herniation [1]. At the 12 week mark the study participants saw significant and lasting improvement. [1]

[1] Gugliotta M, da Costa BR, Dabis E, et alSurgical versus conservative treatment for lumbar disc herniation: a prospective cohort studyBMJ Open 2016;6:e012938. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2016-012938

Absolutely! Physical Therapy reduces the symptoms and pain of a herniated disc by relieving the pressure on spinal nerves.

• Active treatments improve your flexibility, posture, strength, and joint movement.
• These treatments typically include: core stability exercises, stretching and flexibility exercises, muscle strengthening.
• Passive treatments like manual massage therapy techniques help reduce pain and relieve tension.
• These treatments typically include: manual massage, hot and cold therapy, electrical stimulation, and traction