Manual therapy, or manipulative therapy is a specialized form of physical therapy delivered with the hands as opposed to a device or machine. In manual therapy, practitioners use their hands to put pressure on muscle tissue and manipulate joints in an attempt to decrease pain caused by muscle spasm, muscle tension, and joint dysfunction.
Manual therapy may be used to help patients with a number of conditions, including:
- Neck pain
- Low back pain
- Muscle spasms
- Hip problems
- Knee injuries
- Shoulder pain
- Ankle and foot problems
- Hand and wrist issues
The techniques used by the therapist include:
- Traction
- Massage
- Trigger point therapy
- Active release
- Active Assisted Range of Motion
- Passive Range of Motion
- Stretches
- Joint manipulation
- Joint Mobilization