Manual Therapy at Menner Chiropractic

What Is Manual Therapy?

Manual therapy is a physical treatment primarily used by our chiropractors and therapists to treat musculoskeletal pain and disability. It most commonly includes kneading and manipulation of muscles, joint mobilization and joint manipulation.

Korr (1978) described manual therapy as the “Application of an accurately determined and specifically directed manual force to the body, in order to improve mobility in areas that are restricted; in joints, in connective tissues or in skeletal muscles.”

Three Notable Forms of Manual Therapy: Manipulation, Mobilization & Massage

  1. Manipulation is often associated with an audible popping sound caused by the instantaneous breakdown of gas bubbles that form during joint cavitation.
  2. Mobilization is a slower, more controlled process of articular and soft-tissue (myofascial) stretching intended to improve bio-mechanical elasticity.
  3. Massage is typically the repetitive rubbing, stripping or kneading of myofascial tissues to principally improve interstitial fluid dynamics.

Why Do Our Doctors Choose To Use Manual Therapy?

Manual therapy is a clinical approach utilizing specific hands-on techniques, including but not limited to manipulation/mobilization, used by our chiropractors to diagnose and treat soft tissues and joint structures to:

  • Modulate pain
  • Increase range of motion (ROM)
  • Reduce or eliminate soft tissue inflammation
  • Induce relaxation
  • Improve contractile &d non-contractile tissue repair
  • Extensibility & stability
  • Facilitate movement & improve function

Are you interested in learning more about how we use manual therapy? Call Menner Chiropractic Sports Medicine at (847) 540-6060.


Menner Chiropractic Logo
Eat well. Move well. Live well.
(847) 540-6060