What exactly is Manual Therapy?

Manual Therapy is a specialization within the field of Physiotherapy that focuses on the assessment and treatment of musculoskeletal system disorders, commonly referred to as “orthopedic problems.”

In Manual Therapy, various hands-on techniques are used for both diagnosis and treatment. Each patient is treated as a unique and distinct individual, with consideration given to their particular psychological traits, which may influence both their symptoms and the approach to their treatment.

Specifically, during the diagnostic phase, the following aspects are examined and assessed:

  • The movement of the spinal joints in detail, one by one.
  • The movement of the joints in the arms and legs.
  • The behavior of neural tissue in various pathologies, such as nerve inflammations (e.g., sciatica) or dysfunctions in neural tissue movement.
  • The true source of a painful symptom through differential diagnosis tests. For example, arm pain may stem from the shoulder or the neck. There are clinical tests that allow the physiotherapist to pinpoint the actual cause of pain and direct treatment accordingly.
  • Muscle strength, endurance, and flexibility.
  • Potential muscle imbalances and their effect on various pathological conditions.
  • The ability of the body’s muscles to provide dynamic stability during the execution of various movements, both in daily activities and in sports.

In the treatment phase, in addition to the techniques mentioned above, therapeutic exercise is a crucial tool in Manual Therapy. It is the safest way to engage in physical training through individual or small group programs.


*In recent years, in many countries, the term “Manual Therapy” has been slightly adjusted and replaced with “Musculoskeletal Therapy.”

Video

In the video below you can watch an introduction to Manual Therapy and its basic features.

There are many Manual Therapy schools worldwide, each teaching a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic techniques.

The selection of the appropriate technique is made after the physiotherapist takes the patient’s history, which is the most crucial part of the clinical examination. Diagnostic tests are then performed to allow the therapist to categorize the patient’s problem and proceed with treatment.

Therapeutic techniques aim to improve joint movement, particularly after surgery or following a prolonged period of immobilization of a body part (such as after a fracture or dislocation). These techniques are divided into two categories: those performed at a slow speed, known as “mobilizations,” and those performed at high speed, referred to as “manipulations” or the commonly known “cracking” techniques.

Therapeutic exercise is designed for individuals recovering from health issues, surgery, accidents, or prolonged inactivity due to health conditions. It is also suitable for those wishing to return to sports activities safely and for individuals who prefer to exercise under the supervision of rehabilitation specialists. It serves as an intermediate step before beginning a full training or sports program at the gym or in one’s chosen sport. This process involves assessing the individual and creating a personalized exercise program based on their specific needs and health condition.

Frequently Asked Questions about Manual Therapy

What is the relationship between Manual Therapy, Chiropractic, and Osteopathy?

Manual Therapy is a specialization within physiotherapy and is applied exclusively by physiotherapists, whereas the other two professions (chiropractic and osteopathy) do not require the practitioner to be a physiotherapist to be trained in them.

Moreover, in Manual Therapy, we do not rely solely on manipulations (the well-known “cracking” techniques), as chiropractors often do, nor do we treat pathologies beyond the musculoskeletal system.

The most significant difference, however, is that Manual Therapy continuously evolves as research advances worldwide, leading to changes in treatment and diagnostic methods based on the latest developments and scientific studies.

How does Manual Therapy differ from “traditional” physiotherapy?

A physiotherapist, after gaining basic knowledge, can deepen their understanding of musculoskeletal dysfunction diagnosis and treatment through advanced training in Manual Therapy.

This training is always based on the latest scientific research and helps the physiotherapist organize their thought process, guiding them on which tests to use, how to interpret a patient’s symptoms to reach an accurate diagnosis, and finally, how to select the appropriate treatment for the patient.

What are the advantages of Manual Therapy?

Manual Therapy can benefit some patients, even in the acute phase of pain. After a personalized clinical examination and the determination of the root cause of the painful problem, the appropriate combination of safe techniques is selected to achieve the best analgesic effect in the shortest possible time. Some of these techniques aim, for example, to relieve soft tissue (muscles), unload areas of the body such as the neck or lower back, or alleviate nerve tissue issues, as in cases of sciatica or cervical radiculopathy. In most cases, pain is significantly reduced from the first few sessions.

It is also important to note that many patients who visit physiotherapists lead sedentary lives, face fast-paced daily routines, and experience high levels of stress and various pressures. Combined with a lack of exercise, these factors create ideal conditions for somatizing pain.

Manual Therapy is an ideal approach for diagnosing and addressing all these complex problems, which unfortunately affect a large number of people, even those of younger ages.

The therapy aims to break the vicious cycle that arises when a patient experiences intense pain without any injury or strain, where the pain is the result of a process involving the somatization of stress, pressure, worry, and other factors detrimental to both physical and mental health.

Take home messages

  • Manual Therapy is the most comprehensive method for assessing and treating musculoskeletal problems, as well as the more complex painful issues related to the somatization of anxiety, distress, and various forms of pressure.

  • Manual Therapy follows the latest scientific advancements and research worldwide, which is why it is continuously updated and developed.

  • The aim of Manual Therapy is the fullest possible recovery of each patient through therapeutic techniques and therapeutic exercise, always taking into account the individual characteristics of each patient’s personality.

  • Manual Therapy provides appropriate therapeutic stimuli through hands-on techniques, therapeutic exercise, and psychological support to help the patient remain active and engaged, preventing them from being influenced by myths and misinformation.

  • One of the primary objectives is to avoid misinformation, which can lead some patients to develop a fear of certain movements, thereby increasing the likelihood of chronic pain; thus, it plays a significant role in prevention.

  • Το manual therapy μπορεί να αντιμετωπίσει πολλά επώδυνα προβλήματα ακόμη και σε οξεία φάση και να βοηθήσει με τον πιο ανώδυνο και αποτελεσματικό τρόπο την αποκατάσταση της κίνησης σε αρθρώσεις ή περιοχές του σώματος που για κάποιο λόγο δεν έχουν ευχέρεια κίνησης όπως μετά απο επέμβαση, τραυματισμό και ακινητοποίηση.

Manual Therapy in our Manualphysiotherapy practice

Manual Physiotherapy is a Physiotherapy Center founded in 1999 by Konstantinos Sakellariou, a Physiotherapist. It is a facility staffed by a team of professionals from various specialties and equipped with modern physiotherapy and therapeutic exercise infrastructure, enabling it to effectively cover the entire range of rehabilitation services for musculoskeletal disorders. Kostas Sakellariou has 31 years of experience in physiotherapy and 19 continuous years of teaching in internationally recognized postgraduate specialization programs in Manual Therapy.

At the Manual Physiotherapy Center, we can significantly assist you—both preventively and therapeutically. We all share the same vision for the complete recovery of our patients and their safe and prompt return to the activities they engaged in before the onset of their problems.

How can we help you? Get informed!

Take your first step towards resolving the issue that concerns you and reclaiming your physical health and functionality.

Call us at 210.77.84.822 (Zografou) and 216.00.35.521 (Glyfada) to find out how Manual Physiotherapy can help you, or schedule an appointment by filling out the appointment form!