Manual therapy, or manipulative therapy, is a physical treatment primarily used to treat musculoskeletal pain. It mostly includes manipulation of muscles, joint mobilization and joint manipulation.
The aim of the treatment is to increasing the range of motion, reducing or eliminating soft tissue inflammation, promote muscle relaxation, improving contractile and non-contractile tissue repair, restore stability and balance in the body, facilitating movement, and improving function.
A Manual Therapist uses a variety of techniques like:
Spinal Manipulation (High-velocity, low-amplitude)
Joint Articulation (Mobilisation)
Counterstrain
Stretching
Muscle Energy Techniques
Functional Technique
Trigger Point Therapy
Lymphatic pump treatment