Treatments
Manual Therapy
Hands-on joint and soft-tissue techniques to ease pain, restore movement and support your recovery.
Manual therapy is a hands-on treatment approach in which your physiotherapist uses skilled techniques — such as joint mobilization and soft-tissue release — to help reduce pain, improve joint and tissue mobility, and support your recovery.
It is most effective as part of a comprehensive plan that also includes exercise and education, rather than as a stand-alone treatment.
Conditions we treat
- Neck and back pain
- Joint stiffness and reduced mobility
- Muscle tightness and tension
- Shoulder, hip and knee pain
- Sports injuries and strains
- Post-surgical stiffness (as appropriate)
- Headaches related to the neck
What does it include?
Depending on your assessment, manual therapy may involve:
- Joint mobilization to improve movement
- Soft-tissue release for tight or restricted muscles
- Myofascial techniques
- Gentle stretching and mobility work
- Guidance on posture and movement
- Exercises to maintain the gains between visits
How can it help?
Manual therapy may help:
- Reduce pain and muscle guarding
- Improve joint and soft-tissue mobility
- Restore more comfortable movement
- Improve tolerance to rehabilitation exercise
- Support your overall recovery
Manual therapy works best when combined with an individualized exercise program.
What to expect
After an assessment, your physiotherapist applies the techniques most appropriate for you, checks how you respond, and combines them with exercise and education. Some techniques may produce short-lived soreness similar to after exercise.
Frequently asked questions
Is manual therapy painful?
Techniques are adjusted to your comfort. You may feel short-lived soreness afterward, similar to post-exercise soreness, which usually settles quickly.
Will I just get 'cracked'?
No. Manual therapy covers a range of gentle joint and soft-tissue techniques chosen for your assessment — and it's always paired with exercise and education.
How many sessions will I need?
It depends on your condition and goals. Your physiotherapist will discuss an individualized plan with you.
Selected references
- Bialosky JE, et al. The Mechanisms of Manual Therapy in the Treatment of Musculoskeletal Pain. Manual Therapy.
- Coulter ID, et al. Manipulation and Mobilization for Treating Chronic Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. The Spine Journal. 2018.
- American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). Clinical guidance on manual therapy in physiotherapy practice.
The information on this page is general and educational, and is not a substitute for an individual assessment or medical advice. Suitability for any treatment is determined by your physiotherapist.
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