Effects of Manipulative Therapy on Athletes Literature Review

Document Type:Research Paper

Subject Area:Physical Education

Document 1

Studies have indicated that it works well by significantly helping athletes to recover quicker and enjoy improved movements within the affected joints and muscles (Licciardone, Brimhall, & King, 2015). It is also very economical compared to other options available for treating similar problems. However, questions have been raised and comparisons made between the effectiveness of manual therapy and exercise therapy. Manual therapy has been credited for its ability to relieve pain while also serving as form of physical exercise while on the other hand; others have provided that exercise therapy is a better option. It is against this background that this literature review seeks to establish the effectiveness of manipulative therapy by considering its effects on athletes as well as making comparisons to exercise therapy.

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In this procedure, the hands rub the athlete on the specific affected area after it has been sprayed by appropriate first aid kit. It also involves joint mobilization and myofascial release which helps to enhance modality in the athletes (Paolini, 2009). Pettman (2007) also provides that this technique relies on the use of physical hands to assess the situation and to cure as well as improve the condition of the neuromuscoloskeletal situation. The hands are useful since they serve as a guide through which the athletes shape their body to avoid additional pain. Manipulation therapy works by triggering the pathological parts of the body. Direct pressure works by breaking the adhesions and muscle spasm while the slow sweeping pressure promotes the extensibility of soft tissue besides breaking up adhesions and scar tissue.

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Based on the findings of the review by Paolini (2009) myofascial therapy techniques have been preferred as some of the best treatments for athletes since it gives a better downtime for healing at a quicker rate. Most importantly, athletes are able to realize a significant reduction in pain within the shortest period of time. Grieve et al (2013) also notes that myofascial therapy is effective since it deactivates the trigger points in the subject giving them a better range of movement in the ankle, less pain and better function. Benefits of Manipulative Therapy Manipulative technique is regarded to be very effective in treating athletes once they suffer from conditions of muscle or joint pains. Halderman (1986) also provides that the manipulative procedures involved in this kind of therapy influences the spine to increase motion with the help of manual diagnostic skills.

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Due to this, the therapy is a crucial procedure for the athletes as it boots their motion in the field thus reducing their potential of having any spinal illness. In addition, Senbursa, Baltacı, & Atay (2007) manual therapy is beneficial in treating soft tissue (muscle, tendons, joint capsules, skin, fascia, ligaments and articular surfaces) injuries which may occur in the form of muscle damages and joint sprains. This is very important since it helps in improving the tissues’ mechanical and physical behaviors such as flexibility and tensile strength. Kachingwe, Phillips, Sletten, & Plunkett (2008) also provides that manual therapy is beneficial for patients suffering from shoulder impingement where it resulted in decreased pain for the patients and increased functioning of their shoulder as the manipulative therapy improved compared to the exercise therapy.

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According to Kachingwe, Phillips, Sletten, & Plunkett (2008) one of the most effective manual therapy techniques of treating shoulder dysfunction is the Mulligan concept of mobilization with movement (MVM). Based on the findings of this study, patients who underwent the MVM therapy demonstrate the highest percentage of decreased pain and improved functioning from the pre-treatment to the post treatment period. This success is attributed to the fact that MVM therapy is specifically designed to help decrease shoulder pain during active shoulder motion. Also, the amount of manual force applied is dependent upon the ability of the MVM therapy to decrease the pain when combined with active movement. Also Haldeman (1986) established that having a multi-modal treatment program for athletes is more effective compared to the exercise therapy.

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Therefore, before choosing between these two, clinicians and doctors should conduct a thorough examination and evaluation of the patient to determine which therapy would be the most effective treatment for the patient. This can involve using a combination of knowledge present in available research, person clinical experience of the clinical/doctor and the values of the patient (Dvorak, Kujat, and Brumitt, 2011). In this regard, Short et al (2017) conducted a case study of a combine therapy treatment involving a manual therapy and exercise therapy for elite athletes with hip related compensatory injury. The study established that giving physical therapy based program using manipulative therapy helps to increase the chances of recovery at a faster rate based on pain reports and progression of previous impairments.

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Physical rehabilitation is very critical in treating athletes with hip, lower back and groin pain. During the therapy movement of the muscles and joints is re-educated or manipulated so that focus can be given to the inflamed parts of the body in order for them to be well managed by relationships of effective movement. Manual therapy is effective and beneficial to athletes because of its ability to reduce and relieve acute pain as well as helping to enhance the performance of the athletes. It increases specific motion parameters besides restoring motion that was previously lost. Based on the findings of this literature review, manipulation therapy is considered better compared to exercise therapy since it provides increased strength and decreased pain as well as improved function in the affected patient.

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In addition, it requires fewer hospital visitations which ensure that the athletes are abler to resume training without wasting or losing much training time. , & Shekelle, P. G. Spinal manipulative therapy for low back pain: a meta-analysis of effectiveness relative to other therapies.  Annals of internal medicine, 138(11), 871-881. Assendelft, W. Denegar, C. R.  Therapeutic modalities for athletic injuries. Human Kinetics Publishers. Herzog, W.  Manipulative therapy in rehabilitation of the locomotor system (pp. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann. Paolini, J. Review of myofascial release as an effective massage therapy technique.  Athletic Therapy Today, 14(5), 30-34. C. , Brimhall, A. K. , & King, L. N. G. , & Stoll, S. T. Osteopathic manipulative treatment of back pain and related symptoms during pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial.  American journal of obstetrics and gynecology, 202(1), 43-e1.

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