Within the physiotherapy profession, manual therapy is defined as a clinical approach utilizing skilled, specific hands-on techniques, including but not limited to manipulation and mobilization. This is used by the physiotherapist 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;
• inducing relaxation; improving contractile and non-contractile tissue  repair, extensibility, and/or stability;
• facilitating movement;
• improving function