What is Manual Therapy and Its Benefits?
Pain and stiffness can hamper with your daily routine, whether it’s discomfort from an old injury, muscle tightness after a long workday, or strain from physical activity.
Manual therapy is a hands-on approach designed to relieve tension, improve mobility, and support recovery.
At Ashworth Chiropractic, serving West Des Moines, IA, and surrounding areas, we provide personalized treatments to address soft tissue injuries and help you move more comfortably.
Our specialized techniques include:
- Active Myofascial Release – Helps loosen tight muscles and improve flexibility
- Graston Technique (IASTM) – Breaks down scar tissue to restore smooth movement
- Trigger Point Therapy – Targets muscle knots that cause tension and pain
Whether you’re managing chronic pain, healing from an injury, or looking to prevent future issues, our tailored, personalized treatment plans are designed to help you feel your best.
What is a Soft Tissue Injury?
Soft tissue injuries occur when muscles, tendons, or ligaments are overused, strained, or inflamed.
This can lead to persistent pain, stiffness, or restricted movement, making everyday tasks more difficult.
Common causes include:
✔ Sudden injuries – Falls, sprains, or impact-related trauma
✔ Repetitive strain – Overuse from sports, desk work, or daily activities
✔ Chronic tension – Poor posture, stress, or muscle fatigue
Did You Know?
“There’s almost always a soft-tissue component associated with any injury or condition.”
When left untreated, these issues can worsen, affecting mobility and quality of life. Manual therapy can help restore function, relieve discomfort, and keep you moving with ease.
How Manual Therapy Treats Soft Tissue Injuries
Manual physical therapy employs effective techniques to facilitate healing and improve tissue function:
Personalized Treatment Approach
Each session of manual therapy at our clinic is concise, typically lasting between 10 and 20 minutes, focusing precisely on the injury site to maximize healing and ensure a swift return to daily activities.
I really love it here! They are very friendly and I feel Dr. Wilson is giving me great treatment! I also don’t feel pressured into coming back too frequently. The adjustments are great! Great office!
Dr. Matthew squeezed me in on short notice and took very good care of me. He was very thorough and didn’t just adjust me and let me walk out. Amazing experience here and the receptionist is a sweetheart.
Dr. Matt has done wonders for me and I recommend him highly – I can’t say enough good things about him. Dr. Matt and staff are good people and will take great care of you.
My family have used chiropractic and physical therapy services here and every one of us have had excellent outcomes. I wouldn’t go anywhere else these folks are as good as it gets.
Very professional and in depth consultation. These people seem to genuinely care about people’s health and progress.
Dr. Matt and the entire staff have been GREAT! I went in for some issues I was having with my neck and back and Dr. Matt also helped me with some other issues I was having with my calf and shoulders that have made a HUGE improvement in my overall health and comfort.
I highly recommend using Dr. Matt!