Manual Therapy is the use of hands-on techniques, such as soft tissue mobilization, joint manipulation, and myofascial release, to bring the flexibilty back to your body more quickly than exercise alone. These are done in a very gentle manner with the patient’s comfort always coming first.

Mobilizing joints date as far back as 400 BC, when Hippocrates recorded techniques which resemble modern day thrust and traction treatments. It has gone in and out of acceptance until the 20th century where it had become widely used as the “go to” treatment to compliment therapeutic exercise for spine and sport injuries, and post surgery rehabilitation. It’s effectiveness and popularity has excelerated to the present time due to clinical evidence and documented research.

The premise of a manual therapy evaluation is to identify restricted muscles and joints causing motion deficits. This can be in the painful area or adjacent areas. By mobilizing soft tissues (muscles, tendons, ligaments), connecting fascia, and joint capsules, the normal motion is restored to the restricted area. As the motion improves, so does the pain and inflammation. Full function is then restored and maintained with the help of exercise and proper movement training. When normal motion is present, the pain is not.