Question

Compare and contrast two types of manipulative therapies. What are the pros and cons of each of these therapies? Would you recommend these therapies to your patients? If so, under what conditions?

Answer 1

Answer: Manipulative and body-based practices focus primarily on the structures and systems of the body, including the bones and joints, the soft tissues, and the circulatory and lymphatic systems.

*Comparision and contrast:

1) Reflexology is a practice in which different amounts of pressure are applied to specific points on the feet or hands. These points are believed to match up with certain other parts of the body. Reflexology is claimed to cause relaxation and healing in those parts of the body, but this has not been proven. In a study funded by the National Cancer Institute, women with advanced breast cancer who received reflexology treatments showed improvement in a few symptoms, such as shortness of breath, but not others, such as nausea or pain. In this study, reflexology was safe even for the most fragile patients.

2) Massage therapy encompasses many different techniques. In general, therapists press, rub, and otherwise manipulate the muscles and other soft tissues of the body. They most often use their hands and fingers, but may use their forearms, elbows, or feet.

Generally, sometimes the patient needs this kind of manipulative therapies to add advantage to their treatment. So, it can be recommended to the patient.