Our services
Manual Therapy
Reviewed by Andrew Macdonald, Senior Physiotherapist — AHPRA registered, APA member
What is Manual Therapy?
Manual therapy is the umbrella term for the hands-on techniques Andrew uses to assess and treat muscles, joints and soft tissue. It includes deep soft tissue work, trigger point therapy to release tight, overactive muscle knots, joint mobilisation to restore normal movement, and fascia distortion release technique — a specific, targeted approach to releasing restrictions in the connective tissue (fascia) that surrounds muscles.
What It Helps With
Manual therapy is a core part of treatment for most musculoskeletal conditions Andrew sees — back and neck pain, sciatica, headaches, frozen shoulder, sports injuries and post-surgical stiffness among them. It’s rarely used alone; it’s typically combined with dry needling, electrotherapy or an exercise programme depending on what’s driving your symptoms.
What to Expect
Andrew will assess your movement and identify which structures are contributing to your pain or stiffness before treating. Sessions are hands-on and techniques are matched to what your tissue needs — sometimes firm and targeted, other times gentler joint mobilisation. Some techniques can be uncomfortable in the moment, particularly on tight or irritated tissue, but shouldn’t leave you in significant pain afterward.
Who it helps
Conditions we treat with manual therapy
SciaticaSciatica is the name given to pain, numbness or weakness in the areas that are supplied by the sciatic nerve, these include the hip, buttock, thigh, calf...
Low Back PainBack Pain is extremely common with most people experiencing back pain at some point in their life. Back ache is often linked to a sedentary lifestyle...
Neck PainNeck pain is one of the most common conditions physiotherapists treat, often driven by posture, desk work and stress. Physiotherapy treatment combines manual therapy, dry needling and a tailored exercise programme.
Headaches & MigrainesCan Physiotherapy Treat Headaches? Nearly everyone suffers from occasional headaches. However, before looking to drugs for reducing the pain associated...
DizzinessDizziness, unsteadiness or vertigo often has a treatable cause in the neck. Physiotherapy assessment identifies the source and treats cervicogenic dizziness with manual therapy and targeted exercise.
Sport Performance & InjuryModern sports injury rehabilitation favours early, guided movement over rest. Andrew builds a staged, evidence-based recovery plan tailored to your injury and goals.
Chronic Fatigue & FibromyalgiaFibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome cause widespread pain and persistent exhaustion. Physiotherapy helps manage symptoms with a carefully paced exercise programme and hands-on treatment.
Temporal Mandibular Joint (TMJ) DysfunctionTMJ dysfunction causes jaw pain, clicking and headaches, often linked to teeth grinding, stress or the neck. Physiotherapy treatment combines manual therapy, dry needling and lifestyle changes.
Frozen ShoulderFrozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) causes progressive stiffness and pain that can take months to resolve on its own. Physiotherapy can ease pain and speed recovery of movement at every stage.
Rotator Cuff InjuryRotator cuff injuries range from mild tendinopathy to a full tear, causing shoulder pain and weakness. Physiotherapy assessment determines the right treatment path, surgical or non-surgical.
Tennis Elbow & Golfer's ElbowTennis elbow and golfer's elbow are overuse tendon injuries causing pain on the outside or inside of the elbow. Physiotherapy treatment addresses both pain and the underlying cause.
Plantar FasciitisPlantar fasciitis causes sharp heel pain, often worst with the first steps in the morning. Physiotherapy treatment combines hands-on therapy, taping, and exercises to resolve it and stop it recurring.
Ankle SprainsAnkle sprains are one of the most common sporting injuries, and incomplete rehabilitation is the main reason they recur. Physiotherapy restores strength and balance to get you back safely.
Achilles TendonitisAchilles tendonitis causes pain and stiffness at the back of the heel, common in runners and people increasing their activity levels. Physiotherapy uses proven, evidence-based loading protocols to treat it.
BursitisBursitis causes localised pain and swelling around a joint, commonly the hip or shoulder. Physiotherapy treats both the inflammation and the underlying cause to prevent it recurring.
Shin SplintsShin splints (medial tibial stress syndrome) cause pain along the shin bone, common in runners and after a sudden increase in activity. Physiotherapy addresses both symptoms and the training factors behind them.
Osteoarthritis & Rheumatoid ArthritisOsteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis both cause joint pain and stiffness, but need different management approaches. Physiotherapy helps manage pain and maintain mobility and function with either condition.
Post-Op RecoveryPhysiotherapy is a key part of recovery after orthopaedic surgery — knee and hip replacements, ACL reconstruction, shoulder and rotator cuff surgery — restoring movement, strength and function safely.
Groin StrainGroin strains affect the adductor muscles of the inner thigh, common in sports involving sprinting, kicking or sudden changes of direction. Physiotherapy addresses both pain and the strength deficits that lead to recurrence.
Heel SpurHeel spurs are a bony growth linked to long-term plantar fascia strain, often coexisting with plantar fasciitis. Physiotherapy addresses the underlying cause driving both conditions to relieve heel pain.
Runner's KneeRunner's knee (patellofemoral pain syndrome) causes pain around or behind the kneecap, common in runners and anyone increasing their training load. Physiotherapy addresses strength and movement patterns to resolve it and keep you running.
ITB SyndromeIliotibial band (ITB) syndrome causes sharp pain on the outside of the knee, common in runners and cyclists. Physiotherapy addresses the hip strength and loading patterns behind it, not just the symptomatic area.Frequently asked questions
What is manual therapy?
Manual therapy is a broad term for hands-on physiotherapy techniques — including soft tissue work, trigger point therapy, joint mobilisation and fascia distortion release — used to reduce pain, restore movement and support recovery from injury.
Does manual therapy hurt?
Some techniques can feel firm or momentarily uncomfortable, particularly over tight or irritated tissue, but it shouldn't cause significant pain during or after treatment. Andrew adjusts pressure and technique based on how your body responds.
How is manual therapy different from massage?
Manual therapy is a targeted clinical assessment and treatment — Andrew identifies which specific joints or tissues are contributing to your problem and treats those, often combining it with dry needling, exercise or electrotherapy. It's problem-focused rather than a general relaxation treatment.
How many manual therapy sessions will I need?
This depends entirely on your condition — some issues respond within a few sessions, while chronic or complex conditions need an ongoing plan combining manual therapy with an exercise programme. Andrew will give you a clearer estimate after your initial assessment.
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