Discover the Manual Therapy Specialists Difference
Here at Manual Therapy Specialists, we believe the best physical therapy treatments start off with comprehensive diagnostics. For an orthopedic or pelvic floor issue, every session will include an evaluation to see exactly what needs to be done. That way we can make sure you are getting the targeted treatment you need.
20+
YEARS EXPERIENCE
800+
HAPPY CLIENTS
100%
ONE-ON-ONE CARE
With every patient we start with our proven three-step evaluation...
Movement Patterns
We look at static posture and alignment. Then at sequencing of common movements like walking, bending, and transitioning from sit to stand. Sport specific movements - like how you run, perform a deadlift, or swing a golf club. Whatever movement is important to you, we look at it and make sure you are moving as efficiently as possible.
Muscle Usage
Next we look at strength and ability to contract individual muscles in all planes of motion. Do you have any weaknesses? Is there an overuse of muscles due to injury or stress, or is there an underactivation of certain muscles? Can your stabilizing muscles keep you stable and allow the moving muscles to keep you moving? Can your muscles control you through the entire range of motion?
Mobility
We will look at mechanical restrictions. How much your body can move, and what the quality of that movement is. We are looking for things like stiffness, tightness, lack of flexibility, or lack of range of motion.
And then we develop an individualized treatment plan.
Hands on Treatment
Starting at the first session, we will get to treat you directly. That may include hands on work to the muscles and joints - soft tissue mobilization (massage), joint mobilization, instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (graston), cupping, visceral mobilization, etc. Our specific hands on work is how we can help you get out of pain.
Education
We will teach you about what’s happening and how you can fix it. We will teach you about the anatomy, any disease processes that may be happening, why your symptoms are happening, other factors that play into your symptoms, how to obtain a more optimal posture, optimal ergonomics for work, sleep positioning and tips, more efficient ways to play your sport or participate in your chosen hobby, ways to reduce injury risk, and many other things that will help you get better. This is how we work together to get you out of pain and to STAY out of pain.
Exercise
Every patient is given exercises specific to their exam findings. For some this might look like strength and mobility exercises, for others it is adding in more cardiovascular conditioning or working on coordination exercises. For some - it might be all three! Creating the right exercise routine is how we make sure you can stay pain free, its your job to do it!
What makes MTS different from other physical therapy practices?
01
We are pain detectives.
We figure out the root cause, the real “why” to your symptoms. If you just treat the symptoms you might feel better temporarily, but if you can find the source, you can feel better for good. Our treatment approach is centered on finding the actual reason that you are having symptoms.
02
We are experts in treating the whole body.
We have years of experience treating a multitude of issues from head to toe. We mentor other PTs in orthopedics and pelvic health. We are the practitioners who PTs come to when they need treatment.
03
We specialize in the complex.
Do you have multiple things going on? Have you tried other PT or chiropractic and it didn’t help? This is where we shine - figuring out the most complex issues is one of our favorite things to do. But let's say you aren’t a complex case - think of how fast we will be able to figure that out!
04
We efficiently get results.
Since we have a full hour with our patients and we are able to figure out the root cause, we get to the solution faster. Our attention is never split between multiple patients. All of our energy is focused on you for your session.
05
You will have the same physical therapist each session.
You will know who you are seeing, and they will know you! Unless it makes sense to see the other - Dave, Cait, and Alex all have different areas of expertise, so if you aren’t making progress fast enough, another therapist can be consulted to make sure all the bases are covered.
06
We have probably experienced your problem ourselves.
We can relate. We’ve had season-ending injuries, tweaked our backs picking up a pen off the floor, and had major surgeries. We’ve been dismissed by other medical practitioners. It might not be exactly what you have, but we’ve been on the receiving end of physical therapy many times ourselves, so we know what it takes to get better.
Why Choose Manual Therapy Specialists?
Holistic 1-on-1 Care
We look at the body as a whole, not just the part that hurts. We can actually help the person that "already tried everything."
Expert Therapists
Our therapists have years of training beyond PT school. We are the physical therapists that treat other physical therapists.
Specialized Treatments
All that extra training means a huge toolbox of treatment options to match the needs of every individual patient.
STILL NOT SURE?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a session like at Manual Therapy Specialists?
Your session will be one-on-one with your chosen therapist. There are no surprises - you book with the therapist that you will see. Each therapist has their own private room with a treatment table where evaluation and hands-on treatments will happen. We also have a fully equipped gym, where we can evaluate movement patterns, teach various exercises, and bring you through appropriate workouts. Each session will be different person to person, depending on your individual needs.
How can I tell if physical therapy is the right choice for me?
If you’re struggling with pain, reduced movement, or difficulty in performing daily tasks due to an injury, surgery, or chronic issue, physical therapy may be beneficial. There is quite a bit of evidence that physical therapy is often a better choice than surgery or pain medication. You can book a complementary phone consultation with our therapists to determine exactly what you may need.
How should I prepare for my first session?
Before your first session, please fill out any online intake forms we send over. Filling them out early will allow the therapist to review information and prepare any special tests they may want to perform.
For your first session, please wear clothing that is comfortable to move in. If part of your issue is a joint, ideally we can get access to that joint (for example, if your knee is hurting, please wear or bring shorts).
We also suggest bringing whatever athletic shoes you may wear, and any braces, orthotics, or mouth guards you may use (depending on what you are coming in for!).
How often should I expect to come to physical therapy?
Unlike traditional physical therapy offices, since we can work with you for an entire hour one-on-one, we tend to actually see patients less frequently. On average, we will see patients for 8-10 visits, sometimes that's 8-10 weeks, or sometimes that's over 6-12 months. Each individual is different, and how often you need care depends on your goals and on your case. Your therapist will have an educated estimate after your first session.
Do I need a prescription or referral for physical therapy?
No, in the state of Connecticut you are allowed to directly go to a physical therapist!
Seeking Personalized Care and Guidance?
Ready to see what we can do for you? We offer a complementary phone consultation to make sure we are the right fit for you, and give you an idea of exactly what to expect.
MANUAL THERAPY SPECIALISTS
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Fax: 844-767-0150
HOURS
Mon-Fri: 8am-5pm
Early morning and evening appointments available upon request.
Weekends: by appointment
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