Manual Therapy
Hands-on care. Movement that matters.
Manual therapy includes assisted stretching, joint mobilization and soft tissue techniques. Your therapist selects an approach based on your symptoms, movement and goals.
At Alliance Physical Therapy in Chattanooga, hands-on treatment may be combined with exercise and education as part of a personalized rehabilitation plan.
Explore the techniques, what to expect and peer-reviewed research below.
Hands-on Techniques
• Assisted stretching
• Joint mobilization
• Soft tissue techniques
Your therapist selects techniques for your movement, symptoms and goals.
Research: Neck Pain
A 2025 Cochrane review found that manual therapy with exercise may improve neck pain and function compared with no treatment. Compared with sham treatment, pain benefits were small or absent. Evidence certainty was low.
What to Expect
• Movement and symptom assessment
• Hands-on care selected for you
• Exercises to support your progress
Ask your therapist which techniques fit your recovery plan.
Research in Context
A 2023 review found potential neck-pain and disability benefits from manual therapy with exercise compared with exercise alone. Evidence certainty was generally low to moderate. Findings do not apply to every condition or technique.
​