What is manual therapy and when do you choose it?

Manual therapy is a specialised form of physiotherapy that focuses on improving the range of motion of joints. It is often used for spinal complaints, such as neck and back pain, as well as shoulder, hip and jaw problems. What makes manual therapy unique is the combination of in-depth knowledge of the musculoskeletal system and the use of specific techniques with the hands.

What does a manual therapist do?

A manual therapist is first trained to physiotherapist and then completed an additional three-year course. This additional knowledge enables him or her to assess joints that are not moving properly and to treat them with special techniques. The best known of these is manipulation: a quick, controlled movement of a joint sometimes accompanied by an audible creak. Although that sound can sound scary, it is not painful and is often effective.

The treatment aims to:

• joints move better,
• reduce pain,
• improve posture and movement behaviour,
• and address underlying causes of complaints.

Whereas a physiotherapist usually focuses on training muscles or supervising rehabilitation, a manual therapist looks explicitly at the movement function of joints and the overall picture: how a person moves, stands, sits or works.

For whom is manual therapy suitable?

Manual therapy is especially suitable for people with complaints arising from limited joint function. Examples include:

• Headache or dizziness due to neck problems
• Complaints in the upper back or shoulder blades
• Low back pain with radiation to the leg
• Limited mobility in a joint, such as the hip or shoulder
• Pain that gets worse with certain postures or movements

Case study

Take Kimmie, for example, who had been suffering from a nagging pain between her shoulder blades for months. Physiotherapy and exercises provided only temporary relief. During an intake with a manual therapist, it turned out that her upper back hardly moved at all due to years of working posture at the computer. After some targeted mobilisations and advice on posture and movement, Kim soon noticed a difference. The pain subsided, her posture improved, and she was able to play sports again without relapse.

Reimbursement and referral

Manual therapy falls under physiotherapy and is (partially) reimbursed in most supplementary health insurance schemes. You do not need a referral from your GP to make an appointment. Please note: there is a maximum number of treatments per year that are reimbursed, depending on your policy.