Direct contact interventions utilized to assess, treat, and improve movement and function. These techniques involve the skilled use of the therapist’s hands and therapeutic assistive tools to mobilize joints, manipulate soft tissues, and guide body structures. Manual therapy can reduce pain, enhance flexibility, improve alignment, and restore optimal movement patterns, often serving as a complement to exercise-based rehabilitation.
Manual or Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization
Utilizes therapist's hands or specialized tools to apply precise pressure and shear forces to affected areas, breaking down fascial restrictions, promoting tissue remodeling, and stimulating healing
Joint Mobilization
Restores normal joint motion, reduce pain, and improve overall function through gentle, graded oscillations or sustained movements within a joint’s anatomical limits
Myofascial Release
Relieves pain and restores movement by targeting restrictions in connective tissues and fascia
Strain-Counterstrain
Decreases abnormal neuromuscular activity (e.g., protective muscle spasms), allowing the body to "reset" and release strain
Traction
Decreases compression on spinal discs, nerves, or joints and creates space within joint capsules
Muscle Energy Techniques
Moves restricted joints through active contractions and relaxes overactive or shortened muscles