Manual therapy is a hands-on approach and treatment which may include joint mobilizations and manipulations, stretching and passive movement of muscles and joints, or having the patient move the body part against the therapist’s resistance to improve muscle activation and timing. Manual therapy also includes massage therapy, lymph drainage, traction of joints, and trigger point release therapy.

Kinesiology taping is a therapeutic tool that has been used since the 1970’s for the prevention and treatment of sporting injuries. Kinesio-taping gained popularity in recent years for use for musculoskeletal sport-related conditions and for more widespread use in the clinic to treat a wide range of conditions.

Physical Therapists routinely use both cryotherapy and heat therapy in the clinic to treat a wide range of conditions. These conditions range from acute tissue injuries, such as muscle and joint sprains, myofascial trigger point release, tendinitis, acute localized swelling after injuries, bursitis, and many more.

Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) can be described as a skilled clinical intervention that includes the use of specialized tools to manipulate the skin, fascia, muscles, and tendons by specific compressive stroke techniques.