What is Manual Therapy?

Manual therapy encompasses a variety of hands-on techniques performed by skilled physical therapists to treat musculoskeletal pain and disability. These specialized approaches involve precise movements and pressure applied to muscles, joints, and connective tissues to reduce pain, decrease swelling, improve flexibility, and enhance function.

At Fortify Physical Therapy, our highly trained therapists utilize evidence-based manual therapy techniques as part of a comprehensive treatment approach tailored to your unique needs and goals.

Our Manual Therapy Approaches

Soft Tissue Mobilization

Soft tissue mobilization involves various hands-on techniques to address restrictions in muscles, fascia, and other soft tissues.

Benefits of Soft Tissue Mobilization:

• Break Down Adhesions – Targeted pressure helps break down scar tissue and adhesions that limit mobility and cause pain
• Improve Circulation – Enhanced blood flow promotes faster healing and delivery of oxygen and nutrients to injured tissues
• Reduce Muscle Tension – Releases chronic muscle tightness that can contribute to pain and movement limitations

Cupping Therapy

Cupping therapy uses special cups to create suction on the skin, drawing underlying tissue upward to enhance circulation and promote healing.

Benefits of Cupping Therapy:

• Fascial Release – The negative pressure lifts connective tissue, releasing restrictions and improving tissue mobility
• Pain Reduction – Stimulates sensory nerves that can interrupt pain signals and trigger endorphin release
• Decreased Inflammation – Helps remove cellular waste and inflammatory substances from affected tissues

Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) / Graston Technique

This approach uses specialized tools to detect and effectively treat areas of soft tissue restriction and scar tissue.

Benefits of IASTM/Graston Technique:

• Enhanced Tissue Remodeling – The controlled microtrauma stimulates the healing process and promotes proper tissue alignment
• Increased Diagnostic Precision – Tools help therapists identify restrictions that might be missed with hands alone
• Improved Functional Movement – Breaking down restrictions leads to better movement patterns and decreased compensations

Spinal Manipulation

Spinal manipulation involves highly skilled, quick thrusting movements to specific spinal segments to improve function and decrease pain.

Benefits of Spinal Manipulation:

• Immediate Pain Relief – Many patients experience significant reduction in pain following manipulation
• Restored Spinal Mobility – Releases restricted spinal segments, allowing for improved range of motion
• Neurophysiological Effects – Creates beneficial changes in muscle tone and nervous system response

Conditions Treated with Manual Therapy

Our manual therapy techniques can effectively address numerous conditions, including:

• Back and neck pain
• Headaches
• Joint restrictions and arthritis
• Muscle strains and sprains
• Post-surgical stiffness
• Sports injuries
• Work-related injuries
• Chronic pain conditions
• Postural dysfunctions
• Nerve compression syndromes

Our Specialized Manual Therapists

Our physical therapists have advanced training in multiple manual therapy approaches. Many have obtained specialized certifications and continue to refine their skills through ongoing education.

Integrated Approach

Manual therapy is most effective when combined with therapeutic exercise, movement retraining, and education. Your therapist will create a comprehensive treatment plan that may include:

• Personalized home exercise program
• Movement pattern correction
• Ergonomic and activity modification guidance
• Self-management strategies