Manual Therapy
What is Manual Orthopaedic Physical Therapy?
The term “manual therapy” refers to hands-on treatment of muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints. Human touch is an essential ingredient in our treatment philosophy and approach, and for good reason. Patients respond positively to hands-on work when combined with exercise and education. This leads to faster recovery and less out-of-pocket expenses.
Manual therapy encompasses a broad group of sophisticated techniques performed by hand and by uniquely trained physical therapists. These may include mobilizations or manipulations of soft tissue and skeletal joints. Manual therapy techniques aim to decrease pain and increase function. Most manual therapy training programs in the United States are four-year, post-graduate programs that emphasize clinical experiences, classroom education, and extensive exams.
Who is a Manual Orthopaedic Physical Therapist?
Certified Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists are specially trained in medical screening, anatomy, physiology, joint and soft tissue mechanics, and are experts in the musculoskeletal system. Physical therapists may engage in continued education after graduate school to study, and eventually become certified in, manual therapy. This process typically takes 3-4 years.
TAI encourages – through significant financial support and structured mentorship programs – manual therapy training for all of our clinicians. Our therapists receive formal education through American Physical Therapy Association-credentialed orthopaedic manual physical therapy programs, such as the North American Institute of Orthopaedic Manual Therapy (NAIOMT), Ola Grimsby Institute, Institute of Physical Art, and The University of St. Augustine. Several TAI therapists serve as NAIOMT faculty and clinical instructors. The credentials COMT, CMPT, or OMT behind a therapist’s name refer to certifications in orthopaedic manual physical therapy. FAAOMPT is recognized as the highest level of manual therapy achievement: Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy.
Why Manual Therapy?
The answer is simple – it’s proven to get you better, faster. While we always work with patients individually and only use manual therapy when appropriate, our outcome studies show better results when physical therapists have manual therapy training. This translates to fewer days off work or away from your favorite activity, and less out-of-pocket expenses.
If you have questions about manual therapy or want to learn more, ask your physical therapist.
Manual Therapy
Participating Clinics
- Ballard
Ballard Physical Therapy - Bethany
Bethany Physical Therapy - Boise
Boise Physical Therapy @Parkcenter - Bothell
Canyon Park (Bothell) Physical Therapy - Cedar Hills
Cedar Hills Physical Therapy - Roseburg
Central Physical Therapy - Central Point
Central Point Physical Therapy - Clackamas
Clackamas Physical Therapy - Creswell
Creswell Physical Therapy - Downtown Portland
Downtown Portland (Inside Bally Total Fitness) - Spokane Valley
Evergreen Physical Therapy - Renton
Fairwood Physical Therapy - Forest Grove
Forest Grove Physical Therapy - Springfield
Gateway Physical Therapy
- Gresham
Gresham Physical Therapy - Hillsboro
Hillsboro Physical Therapy - Liberty Lake
Liberty Lake Physical Therapy - Medford
Medford Physical Therapy - Albany
Mid Valley Physical Therapy - Mead
Mount Spokane Physical Therapy - Eugene
Oregon Medical Group Country Club Road Medical Center - Eugene
Oregon Medical Group Southtowne - Eugene
Oregon Medical Group West Eugene - Post Falls
Physical Therapy & Athletic Training Center - Corvallis
Physical Therapy - Corvallis - Port Angeles
Port Angeles - Queen Anne
Queen Anne Physical Therapy - Redmond
Redmond Physical Therapy
- Scappoose
Scappoose Physical Therapy - Seattle
Seattle Physical Therapy - Selah
Selah Physical Therapy - Sequim
Sequim - Sherwood
Sherwood Physical Therapy - Southeast Portland
Southeast Portland Physical Therapy - Southwest Portland
Southwest Portland Physical Therapy - Sutherlin
Sutherlin Physical Therapy - North Spokane
Wandermere Physical Therapy - Eugene
West Eugene Physical Therapy - West Seattle
West Seattle Physical Therapy - Yakima
Yakima Physical Therapy - Yelm
Yelm Physical Therapy