Kinesiology Taping
Elastic therapeutic tape that supports muscles and joints during recovery and activity.
Treatment method
Manual Therapy
Manual therapy is a specialized form of physical therapy that focuses on hands-on treatment of muscles, joints and connective tissues.
What is manual therapy?
Manual therapy aims to ease pain, improve mobility and promote overall wellness by treating the body's soft tissue and joints. Our therapists use a range of techniques, chosen for each person, to support healing and restore function.
How does manual therapy work?
Your physical therapist uses their hands to move and mobilize soft tissue and joints. This differs from approaches that rely mainly on machines, exercise equipment or modalities such as electrical stimulation. For tight fascia, our specialists also offer myofascial release, a specialty technique with its own page.
The approach
How manual therapy differs from other techniques
Immediate feedback
Your therapist feels how muscle tension and joint mobility respond during treatment and adjusts technique in real time.
A whole-body view
Treatment looks at how body regions work together, aiming at the underlying cause of pain and stiffness, not only the sore spot.
Tailored to you
Techniques are chosen for your needs and adjusted to how your body responds.
Benefits
Benefits of manual therapy
Pain relief
May help reduce both chronic and acute pain, making everyday movement more comfortable.
Improved mobility
Can help increase range of motion and flexibility, so you move more freely.
Support for recovery
May support recovery from injury by improving circulation and easing muscle tension.
A whole-body approach
Considers the whole body, aiming at the root causes of pain and dysfunction rather than only the symptoms.
How it can help
Effectiveness of manual therapy
Results vary from person to person. Your therapist uses manual therapy as one part of a plan that usually includes exercise.
Chronic pain management
Regular manual therapy may help manage chronic pain from conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia and low back pain.
Joint mobilization
Techniques can help restore normal joint movement, increasing flexibility and range of motion.
Muscle lengthening
Addressing tight or restricted muscles can improve overall movement patterns.
Healing after injury
May support recovery after an injury by improving circulation and reducing inflammation.
Rehab after surgery
Helps restore function and mobility after surgery as part of your rehabilitation.
Relaxing tight muscles
Techniques such as myofascial release target muscle tightness, promoting relaxation and easing spasms.
Stress relief
Many people find manual therapy soothing, which may help lower stress and support overall well-being.
Everyday activities
Patients often report doing daily activities more easily, with a better quality of life.
Athletic performance
Athletes may benefit from better flexibility, which can support performance and help lower injury risk.
Emotional well-being
The hands-on, one-on-one approach can offer a sense of connection and care.
Back and neck pain
Manual therapy is commonly used, together with exercise, for low back and neck pain and stiffness.
Headaches
May help reduce how often tension-type headaches occur and how strong they are.
Who it may help
Conditions where manual therapy is often part of care
Manual therapy techniques may help support healing, ease pain and improve mobility, which makes them a valuable part of comprehensive physical therapy. Your therapist decides during your evaluation whether manual therapy fits your plan; it is usually combined with exercise.
Musculoskeletal pain
- Chronic back pain
- Neck pain
- Shoulder pain
- Joint pain in the knee, hip, hands, feet and spine
Chronic pain
- Fibromyalgia: pain management and tension relief
- Arthritis
Soft tissue injuries
- Strains and sprains
- Tendinitis
- Muscle spasms
After surgery
- Recovery from orthopedic surgery, such as joint replacements and repairs
Headaches
- Tension-type headaches
- Migraines
Sports injuries
- Overuse injuries
- Muscle imbalances
Jaw and posture
- TMJ disorders: jaw pain and dysfunction
- Postural pain syndromes
- Pain from prolonged sitting or repetitive movement
Pelvic pain
- Conditions such as pelvic floor dysfunction
Neurological conditions
- Stroke recovery
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
Related
Other hands-on methods
Instrument Assisted STM
Purpose-made instruments help your therapist find and treat restrictions in muscle, tendon and fascia.
Pelvic Health
Pelvic floor physical therapy with a pelvic floor specialist, for women and for men.
Ready to get started?
Request an appointment online, or text our scheduling team. Text is the fastest way to reach us.