Manual Therapy

Manual therapy techniques are skilled hand movements and skilled passive movements of joints and soft tissue and are intended to improve tissue extensibility; increase range of motion; induce relaxation; mobilize or manipulate soft tissue and joints; modulate pain; and reduce soft tissue swelling, inflammation, or restriction. Techniques may include manual lymphatic drainage, manual traction, massage, mobilization/manipulation, and passive range of motion.

Physical therapists select, prescribe, and implement manual therapy techniques when the examination findings, diagnosis, and prognosis indicate use of these techniques to decrease edema, pain, spasm, or swelling; enhance health, wellness, and fitness; enhance or maintain physical performance; increase the ability to move; or prevent or remediate impairment in body functions and structures, activity limitations, or participation restrictions to improve physical function.

Are all physiotherapists manual therapists?

In Canada, CAMPT-Certified physiotherapists are Fellows of the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Physiotherapy (FCAMPT) that have completed extensive post-graduate education and have attained internationally recognized qualifications in hands-on manipulative therapy. We provide focused treatment based on research-guided techniques that speed up patient recovery while educating them about their condition to reduce the risk of relapse.

How can a Manual Therapist help you?

Here are some conditions where the research-guided techniques used by CAMPT-Certified physiotherapists have resulted in improvements to pain control and functional activities.

Link for patients: