Manual therapy is a cross-discipline technique that helps relieve a wide range of health conditions. It’s integrated into a variety of alternative and medical specialties, garnering a reputation for positively impacting people with different diseases, injuries, and other ailments. HICI Go and its partner schools offer in-person courses in select states and online courses geared toward professional and non-professional students in Florida and nationwide. Learn more about this technique and how you can find manual therapy courses taught by knowledgeable practitioners through HICI Go.
What Is Manual Therapy?
Professionals in the health and wellness industry use their extensive human anatomy and physiology knowledge in many ways. Incorporating several hands-on techniques can facilitate healing and reduce pain – manual therapy is one such method. It integrates massage and manually applied manipulation to achieve specific outcomes relating to a variety of conditions.
Performed by physical therapists, osteopaths, chiropractors, physiotherapists, massage therapists, and other professionals, this type of massage therapy may directly or indirectly target specific parts of the body. Goals vary depending on the client’s specific needs, but different modalities can help alleviate musculoskeletal issues, improve circulation, and provide other benefits. Common types of manual therapy include:
Cupping Therapy
Cupping therapy is a centuries-old form of alternative medicine and a type of deep tissue massage. There are two types of cupping therapy: wet and dry. During treatment, therapists apply special cups to the body that create suction. This stimulates the skin and muscles. Benefits include reduced inflammation, pain relief, increased blood flow, and others.
Lymphatic Drainage Massage
Also known as manual lymphatic drainage, this treatment targets the lymph vessels. By gently massaging specific areas of the body, practitioners can relieve swelling caused by lymphedema. This condition often affects the arms and legs, but also may arise in other areas. Lymphatic drainage massage techniques release excess fluid in the body’s tissues and guide it toward lymph nodes. This helps the body maintain proper circulation, fluid balance, and immune system functionality.
Craniosacral Therapy
Craniosacral therapy is designed to relieve tension around the central nervous system. Practitioners evaluate membranes and fluid movement in the skull, pelvis, or spine. By applying gentle pressure, they can help improve flow and allow the body to heal.
Traditional therapeutic massage, Thai massage, and other techniques also are often classified as manual therapy. Taking a more hands-on approach to care allows you to serve your clients in new ways.
Benefits of Manual Therapy Techniques
A primary advantage of this approach is that it’s often non-invasive. From their physical therapists to massage therapists, people can discuss different treatment options with providers and practitioners to find the combination that suits them best. The other benefits of manual therapy span physiological and psychological outcomes. Depending on the treatment, people with the following conditions may find relief:
- Anxiety/depression
- Chronic pain
- Fibromyalgia
- Headaches, including migraines
- High blood pressure
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Lipedema
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Post-concussion syndrome
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Skin issues
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders
- Trauma recovery
- Varicose veins
Through different types of massage and other techniques, healthcare providers and practitioners can find innovative ways to help people on the journey toward better health. And with continuing education courses through HICI Go, you can build upon your skills today and in the future – shop for courses.
Manual Therapy Courses and Other Courses at HICI Go
HICI Go is proud to serve as an online center that helps people receive a quality education. Through our platform, we host a diverse catalog of health and beauty courses, including manual therapy courses. Our massage continuing education courses encourage professionals to expand their service offerings in clinics and spas. They also help non-professional individuals follow their curiosities and interests. Through our coursework, you can learn:
- Foundational and advanced manual therapy techniques
- How they are used on different areas of the body
- Indications certain techniques may be applied
- Health benefits of specific techniques
In partnership with Cortiva Institute and Hollywood Institute, HICI Go provides live in-person courses, live webinars, and video courses that are available online anytime. Plus, students who enroll in a partner school automatically receive an account for online instruction at HICI Go, as well.
Learn Manual Therapy Techniques Today
Take advantage of our flexible course options led by licensed professionals and practitioners in the industry. HICI Go offers online instruction on a user-friendly platform for people across the United States, as well as in-person instruction through its partner schools in Florida, Connecticut, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Texas. Contact us to learn massage at a location near you or gather more information about our available online manual therapy courses.