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

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

Skilled hand movements intended to produce any or all of the following effects: improve tissue extensibility; increase range of motion of the joint complex; mobilize or manipulate soft tissues and joints; induce relaxation; change muscle function; modulate pain; and reduce soft tissue swelling, inflammation or movement restriction.

Benefits of Mobilization

• Decreases pain and inflammation.

• Increases mobility, flexibility and joint range of motion.

• Mimics weight bearing.

• Increases blood circulation.

• Reduces soft tissue tension (muscles, ligaments, tendons etc.)

• Stimulates the production of synovial fluid.

• A study showed that manual therapy techniques may be more cost-effective than many other forms of treatment for improving low back and shoulder pain/disability (Tsertsvadze et al. 2014).