What is manual physical therapy?

Manual physical therapy is a hands-on approach to assessment and treatment of many physical conditions that affect muscles, fascia, nerves and joints.

Manual therapy includes joint mobilization, myofascial release and other techniques based on osteopathic training such as strain/counterstrain, integrative manual therapy and cranialsacral therapy. The goal of manual therapy is reduction of pain and the restoration of normal movement.

Myofascial release is a hands-on technique to free fascial restrictions and adhesions that may be causing pain and restrictions in pain free movement. Fascia is a connective tissue that gives us our shape; surrounding all bones, organs and muscles. The fascia is also in one continuous piece so that a restriction or thickening in one area can restrict movement in another!

Conditions treated with myofascial release techniques include:

• Stiff or painful neck.
• Low back and mid-back pain.
• Tendinitis
• Piriformis syndrome
• Trauma-related injuries.

See our other specialties for a more in-depth look at manual therapy techniques.