Lymphedema is a condition that causes swelling in the arms and legs, due to a blockage in the lymphatic system. It is typically a concern for those who have undergone complex surgical procedures. If you are suffering from lymphedema, one of our experienced physical therapists can perform manual lymphatic drainage by applying light pressure (similar to a massage) to the affected arm or leg, in order to encourage the drainage of fluid, or “lymph.” Lymphatic drainage is typically followed by compression, in order to reduce swelling.

If you have recently sustained an injury, you may be experiencing severe pain. This pain is typically the result of a restricted joint. Fortunately, our physical therapists are trained in loosening restricted joints by applying pressure at a low velocity. Joint mobilization and manipulation techniques are safe, effective, and painless. They also allow for the breakdown of the affected joint’s barrier, resulting in an improved range of motion.

Massage treatments performed by a physical therapist are a bit different than those you might receive at a spa. They are meant to be more therapeutic in nature, rather than relaxing. At Blue Ridge Physical Therapy, we use therapeutic massage treatments as a way to manipulate the soft tissues. This is done through deep pressure and rhythmic stretching, allowing our physical therapist to find and mobilize areas of your body that are heavily restricted. By doing this, our physical therapist is able to break up any scar tissue or adhesions in the affected body part(s).

Manual traction is done by applying gentle pressure to certain areas of the body, in order to stretch it out. One of the most common areas to receive manual traction is the neck; however, our physical therapist may also recommend it for different areas of your body. When manual traction is performed as a treatment for neck pain, our physical therapist will have you lie down on your back while they gently stretch the spaces between your vertebrae. This is done by taking the base of the skull in one hand and chin in the other while applying slight pressure. Manual traction treatments are generally done for 5-10 seconds at a time.