

What is Manual Therapy?
Clinicians use skilled treatment techniques aimed at optimizing mobility in the body. Treatment techniques include joint mobilization and manipulation, manual traction, soft tissue mobilization, muscle energy techniques, massage, and stretching.
What does it do?
- Increases passive range of motion
- Restores normal joint mobility
- Facilitates functional movement
- Modulates pain
- Reduces inflammation/swelling
- Increases circulation
- Facilitates repair and tissue remodelling
- Builds trust between client and therapist
- Induces relaxation
- Reduces adhesions from scars
Joint Mobilization/Manipulation
Physiotherapists use a hands-on approach to evaluate, diagnose, and treat joints. Joint mobilizations are slow, graded amplitude movements that twist, pull, or push bones and joints in a direction. These movements help loosen tight tissues around a joint, help with alignment, and reduce pain in the joint and surrounding tissues. Some skilled clinicians use joint manipulations, which are quick but small thrusts to provide pain relief and improved mobility. Often you may hear a “click” or “pop” with joint manipulation. Joint mobilizations and manipulations restore optimal motion within a joint.