Manual Therapy

Back pain limiting your activities? Joint stiffness keeping you from moving freely? Manual therapy is a specialized approach in physiotherapy that helps you regain mobility and return to your activities. Through precise techniques and rigorous clinical reasoning, our physiotherapists support you on your path back to an active lifestyle.

What Is Orthopaedic Manual Therapy in Physiotherapy?

Manual therapy is a specialized approach in physiotherapy used to treat neuromusculoskeletal dysfunctions with manual techniques. This treatment is guided by a rigorous clinical reasoning process based on a biopsychosocial model.

In practical terms, your physiotherapist assesses your condition by considering physical factors such as biomechanics, mobility, and pain, as well as psychological factors and your life context. This approach is taught during university training and then further developed through postgraduate courses offered by the National Orthopaedic Division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association.

How Does Manual Therapy Help With Pain Management?

Manual therapy works directly on the impairments of the dysfunction by improving joint mobility, accessory movements, and reducing muscle tension. Mobilizations and manipulations help release movement restrictions, which decreases tissue irritation and can relieve pain.

At Action Sport Physio, manual therapy is combined with therapeutic exercise for comprehensive results. This active approach helps you maintain the gains achieved. Common conditions treated include back pain, musculoskeletal pain, and joint range of motion limitations.

Main Benefits of Manual Therapy

Reduction of pain and inflammation

Improved joint mobility

Return to daily and sports activities

Frequently Asked Questions About Manual Therapy

What Is the Difference Between Manual Therapy and Osteopathy?

Manual therapy is a specialization within physiotherapy regulated by the Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec (OPPQ), while osteopathy is a separate discipline. Both use hands-on techniques, but the clinical reasoning and training differ.

A physiotherapist practicing manual therapy relies on a rigorous biopsychosocial model, while an osteopath uses a more holistic approach.

What Are the Different Forms of Manual Therapies?

Manual therapies include different hands-on approaches used to assess, mobilize, or treat joints, muscles, and soft tissues.

They may include joint mobilizations, manipulations, muscle release techniques, assisted stretching, neural mobilizations, and other specific approaches. The choice of technique depends on each patient’s condition, mobility, pain, and goals.

Who Can Practice Manual Therapy in Quebec?

In Quebec, physiotherapists who are members of the OPPQ can practice manual therapy. Some physiotherapists choose to advance their clinical expertise through postgraduate training and specialization offered by the Orthopaedic Division.

These specialized courses take place over several years and build on the skills acquired during university training, ensuring the expertise needed to treat you safely.