What is manual therapy?
Manual therapy refers to a variety of specialized, hands-on techniques that physical therapists use to address pain, loss of function and overall wellness. This involves a PT using their hands — no tools or devices — to manipulate the musculoskeletal system, whether it’s a joint, nerve, muscle or other soft tissue. They might place pressure on a targeted area or move it in a certain way. This helps reset normal movement patterns and stimulate the body to promote healing, reduce pain or relieve tension.
How is it different from massage therapy or chiropractic care?
Manual therapy is a skill set unique to specially-trained and experienced physical therapists who hold doctorate degrees and advanced training. The main difference between manual therapy and these other modalities is in the goal. Manual therapies are designed to help you move pain-free, restore your functional movement and prevent future injury. While they similarly use the hands, massage is meant for relaxation and release of tension while chiropractic care is used to restore spinal alignment and imbalances.
When is manual therapy used?
Manual therapies are effectively used throughout the whole body for a variety of issues:
- Neck pain and injuries
- Injuries related to accidents or from work
- Muscle spasms or tension
- Headaches
- Tennis or golfer’s elbow
- Tendonitis
- Strains and sprains
- Problems or pain in the major joints (hips, shoulders, knees, ankles, wrists, ankles, hands and feet)
- Back and spinal injuries or conditions
- Chronic back pain
Manual therapy is especially effective in relieving back pain, whether it’s a soft tissue injury or stiff, immobile joints.
What should I expect from manual therapy treatments?
Your manual therapy treatment depends on the body system involved and the reason for your pain or injury. But generally, treatment involves the two main types of manual therapy:
- Soft tissue mobilization – Soft tissue work is similar to massage. Your PT will apply pressure to the appropriate muscles, nerves and tendons. This helps release tension, break up scar tissue (myofascial release), reduce inflammation, relieve pain and promote circulation to the affected area.
- Joint mobilization and manipulation – For joint issues, your physical therapist will twist, pull or push your joints into proper position and through movements. This helps loosen up the complex, hard-to-target tissues surrounding the joints, improve flexibility, increase range of motion and reduce joint pain.
Manual therapies are used alongside many other exercises and treatments. The hands-on work helps get things moving again. The other PT exercises help you build the strength, mobility and flexibility needed for full function.
How will manual therapy help me?
Manual therapy alone can bring you many benefits:
- Increased range of motion and blood flow
- Improved soft tissue and joint mobility
- Decreased tension, spasming and swelling
- Control of pain and inflammation
- Relaxation and reduced stress
That can bring you immediate relief — especially if stiffness, pain or muscle spasms are hindering your movement. And when used in combination with other therapeutic exercises, manual therapy helps you overcome your condition and return to activity even faster.
Manual therapy helps to improve soft tissue mobilization, increase range of motion, and decrease muscle spasms. It also induces relaxation, helps control pain and reduces swelling.