What manual therapy is
Manual therapy is hands-on treatment by a licensed clinician — no machines between you and your therapist. It’s how we treat muscle aches, joint pain, and restricted movement at the source, and it has been the signature of our orthopedic practice for more than 35 years.
The techniques we use
Mobilization. Slow, controlled stretching of joints and soft tissue, graded precisely to improve mobility without aggravating irritated tissue. This is the workhorse of orthopedic manual therapy.
Manipulation. The application of a quick, targeted force to a joint — sometimes producing the audible pop called cavitation — to restore motion when a joint is locked or guarded.
Therapeutic massage and soft-tissue work. Repetitive stripping and kneading of muscle and fascia to facilitate healing, reduce swelling, relax protective muscle spasm, and relieve pain. Select therapists also offer dry needling for stubborn trigger points.
Part of a complete plan — never the whole plan
Hands-on treatment gets a joint moving; the right exercise keeps it moving. Manual therapy at The Therapy Institute is always paired with a customized therapeutic exercise program and clear self-care instruction, so the gains we make on the table hold up in your daily life.
When you’re past the pain
Manual therapy also lives on the performance side of our practice. Athletes in the Performance Lab use the same hands-on techniques for recovery between training blocks — no injury or referral required.