The goals of physical therapy for most patients focus on decreasing pain and swelling, increasing joint and soft tissue mobility, increasing flexibility, and increasing muscle performance.

By addressing these impairments, patients have an easier time returning to their previous level of activity. While many machines and modalities are used to accomplish these goals, most skilled clinicians will use their hands as an adjunct to treatment. Referred to as manual therapy, the use of a “hands-on” approach offers the physical therapist more insight into a patient’s condition.

The laying on of hands enables the clinician to detect changes in tissue tightness, tissue temperature, joint mobility, muscle flexibility, and muscle tone that may not be detected with machines or medical imaging. A skilled physical therapist with advanced training in manual therapy can assess these physiological changes as they occur during the specific procedure.