We believe that manual therapy is a useful adjunct in decreasing pain perception, while promoting mobility and improving tolerance to the therapeutic application of exercise.​Manual therapy is a hands-on treatment technique that is used for a variety of different reasons. It can be used to improve range of motion, increase blood flow, or to help provide new input to the brain to improve a pain experience. We do not subscribe to the notion of breaking up adhesions with our hands via manual therapy. You are not fragile, and your body is too strong for us to do that! Instead, we believe that most manual therapy techniques provide benefit through temporary changes in the nervous system that then allow for more long lasting benefits achieved through exercise and tissue loading. Paragraph Below Adapted from the APTA Guide to PT Practice​Manual therapy techniques are skilled hand
movements of joints and soft tissue and are intended to improve tissue extensibility, increase range of motion, induce relaxation, mobilize or manipulate soft tissue and joints, modulate pain, and reduce soft tissue swelling, inflammation, or restriction. Techniques may include manual lymphatic drainage, manual traction, massage, mobilization/manipulation, and passive range of motion.​Physical therapists select, prescribe, and implement manual therapy techniques when the examination findings, diagnosis, and prognosis indicate use of these techniques to decrease edema, pain, spasm, or swelling; enhance health, wellness, and fitness; enhance or maintain physical performance; increase the ability to move; or prevent or remediate impairment in body functions and structures, activity limitations, or participation restrictions to improve physical function.
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