Manual Therapy
Overview
Manual therapy encompasses hands-on techniques used by physical therapists to treat musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction.
Techniques
- Joint mobilization — graded oscillatory movements to restore range of motion
- Soft tissue mobilization — targeted pressure to release muscle tension
- Myofascial release — sustained pressure on fascial restrictions
Indications
| Condition | Technique | Evidence Level |
|---|---|---|
| Low back pain | Spinal mobilization | Strong |
| Frozen shoulder | Joint mobilization | Moderate |
| Plantar fasciitis | Myofascial release | Moderate |
Manual therapy combined with exercise produces superior outcomes compared to either intervention alone.
Precautions
- Avoid over osteoporotic bone
- Caution with inflammatory conditions
- Contraindicated over malignancy