Manual therapy is the hands-on part of physiotherapy. Your physiotherapist uses their hands to move stiff joints, work on tight or sore muscles and help you move more comfortably, usually alongside exercise and advice you can use at home. It is offered at all three of our clinics, in Melton, Hoppers Crossing and Sunbury, as part of an assessed physiotherapy plan rather than as a stand-alone treatment. To book, call (03) 9746 6852 or book online.
What manual therapy is
"Manual therapy" covers a group of hands-on techniques. Which ones we use depends on your assessment, your comfort and your goals. They may include:
- Joint mobilisation — slow, controlled, repeated movements of a joint to ease stiffness and pain.
- Soft tissue techniques — massage-style pressure and stretching for tight or tender muscles, tendons and fascia, including trigger point release.
- Muscle energy techniques — you gently push against your physiotherapist's hand, then relax, to help a joint move further.
- Nerve mobilisation — gentle movements that help a sensitive nerve glide more freely, sometimes used for sciatica or arm symptoms.
- Manipulation — a small, quick movement of a joint, sometimes with a "click". It is only used in selected cases, after screening, and only with your agreement. Many people never need it.
Australian guidance for common problems such as low back pain and neck pain puts education, staying active and exercise first, and suggests manual therapy can be added to help you move and get going with that exercise. Its effects are usually modest and often short-term, which is why we nearly always pair it with a home or gym program. It is a helpful tool, not a quick fix, and results vary from person to person.
Who manual therapy may help
- Lower back pain, including sciatica and other spinal pain
- Neck pain and stiffness, including headaches that come from the neck
- Stiff or painful shoulders, including frozen shoulder
- Hip, knee or ankle stiffness, for example with arthritis or after a sprain
- Stiffness after surgery or a fracture, once your surgeon or GP has cleared you for hands-on treatment
- Sport and work injuries where pain or stiffness is getting in the way of rehab
Whether it suits you depends on your assessment. If we think another approach, or a different practitioner, would help more, we will tell you.
When we may change or avoid manual therapy
Hands-on treatment is not right for everyone. We check your health history first and may change our approach, or avoid some techniques, if you have osteoporosis, a bleeding disorder or take blood-thinning medication, a recent fracture or major injury, an inflammatory joint condition that is flaring, or a current or past cancer. Tell us if any of these apply, or if you're pregnant.
Seek urgent medical care (call 000 or go to an emergency department) if back pain comes with new numbness around the groin or buttocks, new problems controlling your bladder or bowel, or weakness in both legs. These need medical review first, not physiotherapy.
What to expect at your first visit
- History. How the problem started, what makes it better or worse, your health history, work, activity and goals.
- Physical assessment. How you move, joint and muscle tests, and screening of nearby areas.
- Explanation. What we think is going on, in plain language, and the options.
- Consent. We explain any hands-on technique before using it. You can ask questions, ask for a different approach or ask us to stop at any time.
- Treatment. Hands-on treatment where it suits, usually combined with a few exercises.
- Plan. A home program, how often to come back, and how we'll check your progress.
A first physiotherapy appointment is usually 30 to 45 minutes. Wear comfortable clothes that let us see and move the area, such as shorts for a knee or a singlet for a shoulder.
Where manual therapy is offered
All of our physiotherapists use hands-on treatment as part of their care, at each of our clinics:
- Melton — 7/211–223 Barries Road, Melton West.
- Hoppers Crossing — 369 Morris Road, Hoppers Crossing.
- Sunbury — 16-18 O'Shanassy Street, Sunbury (by appointment).
Funding and payment options
- Private health insurance — HICAPS on site for on-the-spot claiming. Cover depends on your fund and level of extras.
- Medicare — eligible patients with a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan and a GP referral.
- WorkCover and TAC — for accepted claims, where the treatment is part of the approved plan.
- DVA — eligible Gold and White Card holders with a referral.
- NDIS — self- and plan-managed participants whose plan includes physiotherapy.
- Private payment — accepted. Contact reception for current fees.
Funding eligibility depends on your circumstances, referral, claim approval and appointment type. Please contact reception if you're unsure.
Related services
- Physiotherapy — what a physiotherapy appointment at 101 Physio involves
- Back pain physiotherapy and neck pain physiotherapy
- Shoulder pain physiotherapy
- Dry needling — another hands-on option used within physiotherapy
- Exercise rehabilitation — the exercise side of your plan
- Remedial massage and myotherapy (Melton only)
Frequently asked questions
Does manual therapy hurt?
Most techniques feel like firm pressure or a stretch. Some tender areas can be uncomfortable for a moment. We adjust the pressure to what you're comfortable with, and you can ask us to stop at any time.
Will you crack my back or neck?
Not unless it suits your assessment and you agree to it. Manipulation is one option among many. Most people are treated with gentler techniques such as mobilisation and soft tissue work.
Is manual therapy enough on its own?
Usually not. Research suggests hands-on treatment tends to work well as part of a plan that includes exercise, advice and staying active. We use it to help you move, then build on that with exercise.
How many sessions will I need?
It depends on the problem, how long you've had it and your goals. We'll give you an idea at your first visit and review it as you go.
Do I need a referral?
No. You can book physiotherapy directly. A referral is needed for some funded pathways, such as Medicare, DVA, WorkCover and TAC.
Ready to book?
Call (03) 9746 6852 or book online.
Related: physiotherapy · dry needling · exercise rehabilitation · all services
