What is Manual therapy?

Manual therapy is a specialized physical therapy method that utilizes specific, hands-on techniques without the assistance of devices or machines. The International Federation of Orthopedic Manipulative Physical Therapists (IFOMPT) defines manual therapy as:

Skilled hand movements intended to produce any or all of the following effects: improve tissue extensibility; increase range of motion of the joint complex; mobilize or manipulate soft tissues and joints; induce relaxation; change muscle function; modulate pain; and reduce soft tissue swelling, inflammation or movement restriction.

Manual physical therapy generally involves two kinds of movement: soft tissue work and joint mobilization/ manipulation. Before initiating any manual therapy (or other physical therapy) techniques, the therapist will typically perform a complete assessment of the patient’s bones, muscles, and blood and nerve supply to ensure further complications will not occur. Depending on assessment results, the physical therapist may choose to perform techniques including, but not limited.