The intricate system that is the body, formed by our skeleton, muscles, soft tissue, organs, skin, tendons, ligaments, nerves and joints, needs to be kept in top condition to function at its best.

Sometimes, through injury, poor upkeep, or just day-to-day living our bodies can start to feel pain. Musculoskeletal therapy may help in keeping pain at bay and treating injuries and functional problems.

Musculoskeletal therapy treats the skeletal and muscular system using a variety of soft tissue and mobilisation techniques. Musculoskeletal therapists use mobilisation over manipulation, mobilisation being movement to increase range of movement, rather than the more sudden movements of manipulation.

How Musculoskeletal Therapy can help

It’s a very hand-on therapy and if you suffer from back, neck or any other kind of joint pain, you may benefit from consulting a musculoskeletal therapist. If you suffer from chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia and frozen shoulder you may also benefit from the therapy.

 Musculoskeletal therapy may help prevent and alleviate pain, enhance movement and function and help in maintain the functional alignment of the skeletal system.

 A musculoskeletal therapist will assess your condition and treat you in a holistic way. You may be prescribed a range of measures to get you back to your physical best. The hands-on techniques themselves are varied, and can include:

• Muscle energy and neuromuscular techniques.
• Neural stretching.
• Dry needling.
• Cupping.
• Lymphatic drainage.
  

Other holistic measures could include:

• A program of gentle exercise or stretching.
• Looking at your diet and nutrition.
• Making you aware of your posture.
  

Musculoskeletal therapy offers a range of opportunities for your body to heal itself with the help of a qualified therapist. It can also give you techniques, lifestyle changes and above all, the awareness, to keep you feeling great.