Manual Therapy - Gdańsk

Manual therapy is a method of physical therapy massages that dates back to ancient times. Its main focus is to support the spine and joints. During the procedure, in addition to classical massage, specialized grips, levers, manipulations, and mobilizations are used. Through these actions, the therapist can restore joint mobility, alleviate pain, and regain sensation. Our therapy is based on skillfully drawing from a range of different techniques. Part of "good therapy," which is the manual therapy practiced in our clinic, also includes chiropractic, cupping therapy, acupressure, and therapies based on cups.

Cupping therapy, originating from traditional Chinese medicine, has been practiced for thousands of years. This method involves placing a cup on a selected area of the body and then (or before placing it) creating a vacuum inside. Sometimes the skin needs to be properly prepared before placing the cup, or other actions (sliding, heating) are performed. In our clinic, we use several different types of cups. Their applications are versatile. Among their uses are issues with the musculoskeletal system, joint pain, headaches, muscle pain, cough, asthma, and many others. A properly tailored cupping session provides strong support in holistic therapy aimed at restoring the patient's natural balance and lays the foundation for incorporating other techniques used in our clinic.

This method is very effective in treating various pains and muscle disorders. The most common areas of action for manual therapists are the coccyx, sacro-lumbar region, shoulder joints, neck, knees, and feet. Manual therapy is used for postural defects, scoliosis, hernias, migraines, sciatica, sleep disorders, and many other ailments.

The manual actions of the therapist stabilize the patient's posture and generally help avoid sleepless nights, regular intake of painkillers, and even surgery.

Manual therapy is a safe technique; however, it requires prior consultation with a therapist regarding any past illnesses, injuries, or surgeries. It is advisable to bring along the results of any tests performed (X-rays, MRI, ultrasound).

Manual therapy has its origins in folk medicine and encompasses knowledge from several medical specialties, such as internal medicine, orthopedics, traumatology, neurology, rheumatology, and radiology. The synthesis of these specialties allows manual therapists to address numerous spinal and non-spinal ailments through a process known as "spinal adjustment."

The therapeutic possibilities achieved through this approach remain somewhat shrouded in mystery. In fact, chiropractic (as manual therapy is colloquially known) has been functioning and evolving worldwide for many years as an integral part of classical medicine. Currently, many doctors, rehabilitation specialists, and masseurs in Poland have been trained in this specialty. As a result, the mystery surrounding it—mainly due to a lack of understanding—is gradually dissipating, allowing manual therapy to gain increasing recognition and rightful place in general medicine. It is astonishing how broad the scope of manual medicine is. It concerns not only the spine but also the entire musculoskeletal system. And that’s not all. Through the interrelations of anatomical and physiological aspects of all organs in the human body, the effectiveness of manual medicine achieves surprisingly good results in diseases that seemingly have nothing to do with the spine. These include, among others: headaches and migraines, epilepsy, tinnitus, heart palpitations and arrhythmias, significant blood pressure fluctuations, and urinary tract infections.

Manual therapy dates back to 460-377 BC, with Hippocrates considering "vertebral dislocations" a cause of many diseases. In Poland, just like in many countries, manual therapy has its roots in folk medicine. The medical movement (referred to as chiropractic in the USA) dates back to the early 20th century, with two notable publications from that time: "Chiropractic as a New Method of Treatment" by Dr. Olgierd Krukowski and "Chiropractic or the Art of Realigning Dislocated Vertebrae as a Principal Cause of Diseases" by Father M. Pawłowski, both published in 1926.

The above article presents just a small glimpse of the possibilities offered by manual therapy. However, these are the most frequently encountered cases that lead to increasing discussions about manual therapy, especially for those for whom spinal conditions are now just an unpleasant memory.