Manual Therapy

Manual therapy is the foundation of our treatment approach at The Back Clinic. It encompasses a range of skilled, hands-on techniques that your physical therapist uses to treat joints, muscles, and soft tissues. Unlike passive modalities (ice packs, ultrasound, electrical stimulation), manual therapy is an active, skilled intervention that produces immediate changes in tissue mobility, pain, and function.

Research consistently supports manual therapy as a core component of effective physical therapy for musculoskeletal conditions. When combined with targeted exercise, manual therapy produces better outcomes than exercise alone for most conditions.

• Joint mobilization — Skilled oscillatory movements applied to a joint to restore normal mobility, reduce pain, and improve function
• Joint manipulation — High-velocity, low-amplitude thrust techniques for specific joint restrictions (when appropriate and with patient consent)
• Soft tissue mobilization — Hands-on techniques to release muscle tension, break up adhesions, and improve tissue flexibility
• Myofascial release — Sustained pressure techniques that address restrictions in the fascial system
• Trigger point release — Targeted pressure on muscle trigger points to reduce pain and restore normal muscle function
• Neural mobilization — Gentle techniques to improve nerve mobility and reduce neural tension
• Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization — Tool-based techniques for specific soft tissue restrictions

Our one-on-one treatment model exists in large part because of manual therapy. These techniques require a skilled therapist’s full attention and cannot be delegated to aides or technicians. When you come to The Back Clinic, your therapist’s hands are on you — not across the gym working with someone else.

This is a key differentiator from many PT clinics where therapists manage multiple patients simultaneously. Manual therapy is time-intensive and technique-dependent. It is also one of the most effective tools in physical therapy, which is why we make it a priority in every treatment plan.