Manual Therapy Edmonton

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Manual Therapy Edmonton

Manual Therapy

Gentle Techniques. Strong Results.

Have you been dealing with stiff joints, nagging muscle tension, or pain that just won’t quit?
Do you feel like stretching, rest, or even exercise isn’t quite enough to get your body back on track?

At West Henday Physical Therapy, we provide manual therapy in Edmonton as part of a hands-on approach that helps your body move and function more naturally. Whether you’re working through an injury, dealing with tension that won’t ease, or noticing daily stiffness, manual therapy can help you restore better movement and feel more comfortable in your body.

What Is Manual Therapy, and How Do We Use It at Our Clinic?

Manual therapy involves skilled, hands-on techniques applied by our licensed and experienced physical therapists. During treatment, your therapist uses hands-on techniques to gently guide movement, reduce tightness, and improve how your muscles and joints are working together.

This may include gentle joint movements to improve range of motion, soft tissue techniques to reduce muscle tension, or guided stretches to ease stiffness. These techniques are always based on your unique condition, comfort level, and goals.

What Techniques Are Used in Manual Therapy?

Manual therapy isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach—our therapists use a variety of hands-on methods based on your condition and goals. Some of the techniques we may use include:

  • Joint Mobilization: Gentle, controlled movements to improve joint mechanics and reduce stiffness.
  • Soft Tissue Release: Targeted pressure to release tight or overworked muscles and improve circulation.
  • Myofascial Release: Slow, sustained pressure to stretch and relax the connective tissue (fascia) that surrounds your muscles.
  • Muscle Energy Techniques (MET): A collaborative method where you contract muscles in specific ways to improve mobility and reduce tension.
  • Trigger Point Therapy: Focused pressure on tender “knots” in the muscle to reduce pain and restore range of motion.
  • Passive Stretching: Therapist-guided movements to gently stretch muscles and reduce tightness.

We also incorporate Osteopathic Manual Treatment (OMT) techniques when appropriate. These techniques take a whole-body approach to restore balance between structure and function. Depending on your needs, this may include:

  • Strain-counterstrain, which gently positions the body to release deep tissue tension
  • Craniosacral techniques, aimed at calming the nervous system and improving fluid movement around the brain and spine
  • Visceral Manipulation, a gentle technique used to improve the mobility and function of internal organs and the surrounding connective tissues

All techniques are chosen based on what your body needs at each stage of your recovery. These techniques are often combined with exercise therapy, movement education, and other physical therapy services to maximize results.

What Kinds of Concerns Do We Address with Manual Therapy?

At our Edmonton clinic, we commonly use manual therapy for people experiencing:

Joint stiffness

That makes movement uncomfortable or limited

Muscle tightness

That doesn't improve with stretching or rest

Pain

In the neck area, back, shoulders, or hips

Headaches

That may be linked to posture or muscle tension

Recovery after surgery or injury

where tissue mobility is restricted

General fatigue or discomfort

From repetitive movements or poor alignment

Each treatment plan is adjusted to reflect how your body responds over time. The goal is to make daily movement feel easier, reduce the physical strain you’re carrying, and promote steady, lasting progress.

How We Determine If Manual Therapy Is Right for You

Your first visit at West Henday Physical Therapy includes a thorough assessment. We take the time to understand where you’re feeling discomfort, how it’s affecting your movement, and what may be contributing to the issue—whether it’s related to posture, work habits, injury, or something else. If manual therapy seems like a good fit, we explain how it will be included in your treatment plan. Sessions are always one-on-one with a therapist who will guide the process, adjusting techniques based on your feedback and progress.

Clinical Suitability for Manual Therapy

Manual therapy is widely used across many stages of rehabilitation. At West Henday Physical Therapy, it is considered a trusted and effective part of care for many conditions. While it may not be applied in every case right away, it remains one of the most effective tools we use to restore mobility, reduce discomfort, and support recovery.

If manual therapy isn’t introduced immediately, it’s often because the body needs time to heal before hands-on techniques are applied. In those cases, other treatments may be used first but manual therapy often becomes an important next step in the process.

Common Questions We Hear from New Clients

No referral is needed to book an appointment. If you have extended health coverage, you may want to check if a doctor’s note is required for reimbursement.

Some parts of the treatment may feel intense, especially if we’re working on very stiff or tense areas. That said, most people feel a noticeable release and greater ease of movement after each session.

 That depends on your condition and goals. Some people feel a difference after just a few sessions, while others benefit from including manual therapy throughout a longer recovery plan.

Contact

Book Your Manual Therapy Appointment in Edmonton Today

If pain, stiffness, or limited movement is affecting your day-to-day life, manual therapy may be a helpful step toward feeling better. At West Henday Physical Therapy, we take time to understand what’s holding you back and build a care plan that fits where you are in your recovery so you can move with more comfort, confidence, and control.

Reach out to us to book your appointment or ask any questions—we’re here to help you move better, feel better, and stay active in the things that matter most to you.