Manual Therapy
Manual therapy techniques consist of a board group of passive interventions in which physical therapists use their hands to administer skilled movements designed to modulate pain; increase joint range of motion (ROM); reduce or eliminate soft tissue swelling, inflammation, or restriction; induce relaxation; improve contractile tissue extensibility; and improve pulmonary function. These interventions involve a variety of techniques, such as the application of graded forces.Physical therapists use manual therapy techniques to improve physical function and health status (or reduce or prevent disability) resulting from impairments by identifying specific performance goals that allow patients/clients to achieve a higher functional level in self-care, home management, community, and work (job/school/play) integration or reintegration, or leisure tasks and activities.
Dan Peetz, P.T., O.C.S., M.T.C. was the first physical therapist in Nebraska to receive manual certification through the Institute of Physical Therapy. Dan is a certified manual therapist since 1984, and Scott also performs manual therapy as well.
Manual therapy techniques may include:
• Connective tissue massage
• Joint mobilization and manipulation
• Manual lymphatic drainage
• Manual Traction
• Passive ROM
• Soft tissue mobilization and manipulation
• Therapeutic massage
The information listed above is from The American Physical Therapy Association's website. For further information go to: