Manipulation involves a “skillful high velocity low amplitude thrust of either a spinal joint (neck, mid back, low back or pelvis) or peripheral joint (i.e. wrist, ankle, and elbow)”. Research strongly supports physiotherapy manipulation as an integral component in the management of musculoskeletal disorders for several patients. Benefits include: decreased pain, increased mobility and range of motion and improved functional outcome. 

Manual Therapy is used by the physical therapist to diagnose and treat soft tissues and joint structures for the purpose of:

• modulating pain.
• increasing range of motion (ROM).
• reducing or eliminating soft tissue inflammation.
• facilitating movement; and improving function.  

Manual or Mechanical Traction is a technique applied to the spine (neck or lower back) to ease symptoms in the neck (arms, elbows, hands) or the lower back (buttock, leg, calf, foot). The pull of the traction should cause the symptoms to centralize (come out of the arm or leg). Usually the symptoms are caused by pressure on a nerve from a disc degenerative, herniated, sciatica or spinal stenosis. 

Spinal/Joint Mobilization is a manual therapy intervention that is usually aimed at a ‘target’ synovial joint with the aim of achieving a therapeutic effect. When applied to the spine, it is known as spinal mobilization. 

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) therapy involves applying electric current produced by a battery-operated device to stimulate the nerves for therapeutic purposes. Physiotherapy uses TENS as part of a treatment session in addition to exercises and the recommended treatment plans. 

Therapeutic ultra-sound (US) in rehabilitative programs is used as part of a wider treatment plan. Emission of sound waves to promote healing and improve the range of movement; US Therapy can enhance the alignment of collagen fibers in healing.

Cryotherapy is the use of near zero temperatures (also known as cold therapy) for therapeutic purposes. Benefits include: 

• reduction of local edema/fluid accumulation.
• reduction of inflammatory mediators and cell oxygen demand.
• protecting affected tissues from additional damage.
• reduction of pain.
• reduction in muscle spasms.