Hands-on care
Manual Therapy
Hands-On Techniques for Muscles, Soft Tissues & Joint Movement
Manual therapy refers to hands-on techniques that may address selected musculoskeletal symptoms and movement limitations. Appropriateness depends on your evaluation, symptoms and individual circumstances.
Understanding hands-on care
What Is Manual Therapy?
The term includes different approaches to muscles, soft tissues and joint movement. General examples include soft-tissue techniques, joint mobilization and assisted movement or stretching. Mobilization uses controlled joint movement and does not necessarily involve a thrust.
Dr. Goldstein will explain the technique recommended after your evaluation. These are examples of approaches, rather than a fixed menu of treatments.
Your experience
What Does Manual Therapy Feel Like?
You may feel pressure, stretching or movement. This varies with the technique and treatment area, and temporary tenderness or soreness can occur. Dr. Goldstein will take your needs and comfort into account when choosing pressure and positioning.
Individual needs
When Might Manual Therapy Be Part of Care?
It may be considered for selected musculoskeletal pain, stiffness, movement limitations or soft-tissue discomfort, sometimes to support participation in rehabilitation. Symptoms alone do not determine which technique is suitable.
Explore Conditions & Concerns →Realistic expectations
What Can Manual Therapy Realistically Do?
Some people may experience short-term improvement in symptoms or function. Findings vary by condition, technique and comparison treatment, and response is individual.
Hands-on care may be part of your overall plan. Dr. Goldstein will reassess your progress; lasting improvement cannot be promised.
Active + hands-on care
Combining Manual Therapy with Rehabilitation
Guided exercise, mobility work, strengthening, activity progression and home recommendations may be paired with hands-on care when appropriate. Manual therapy is not required before exercise.
Explore Rehabilitation →
Movement and activity
Manual Therapy for Sports & Active Patients
If your evaluation supports hands-on care, Dr. Goldstein may include it in your plan to help you manage symptoms, tolerate movement and take part in rehabilitation. Your findings and activity demands guide the approach.
Explore Sports Injury Care →Evaluation after a collision
Manual Therapy After a Car Accident
Selected patients may receive hands-on care for musculoskeletal symptoms after appropriate evaluation. If a serious injury or concerning findings are suspected, medical assessment or referral takes priority over routine manual treatment.
Explore Auto Accident Care →Understanding your options
Manual Therapy vs. Chiropractic Adjustments
Manual therapy is a broad term. A chiropractic adjustment or spinal manipulation is a more specific technique involving controlled force at selected joints. Soft-tissue work or mobilization is not automatically an adjustment.
A plan may include hands-on care, adjustments, rehabilitation, a combination or another approach, depending on the evaluation and your preferences.
Learn About Chiropractic Adjustments →A broader care plan
How Manual Therapy Fits with Other Care
Dr. Goldstein recommends options based on your needs, rather than combining them all. These may include chiropractic adjustments, rehabilitation, shockwave therapy or other conservative approaches. Custom orthotics are a separate personalized foot-support option.
Safety first
When Manual Therapy May Need to Be Modified or Avoided
A suspected fracture, serious acute injury, infection, blood-clot concern or new neurological problem calls for appropriate medical assessment. Soft-tissue work should avoid open wounds or infected skin.
Technique, pressure and treatment area must be individualized. Rare serious harms have been reported with massage, particularly vigorous techniques or patients at increased risk. This is not a self-clearance checklist; share your medical history and concerns.
Your preferences
Your Comfort Matters
Discuss pressure, positioning, sensitive areas and any concerns. You can ask to modify or stop treatment and discuss alternatives. Your agreement matters throughout care.
Evaluation first
Manual Therapy with Dr. Brett Goldstein
Dr. Brett Goldstein, D.C. uses your history and examination to recommend an approach. He may include rehabilitation, monitor how you respond, or recommend a referral or care shared with another clinician when appropriate.
Meet Dr. Goldstein →A considered approach
What to Expect at Your Visit
Discuss Your Symptoms
Share concerns, goals and relevant history.
Evaluation
Review movement and examination findings.
Review Treatment Options
Discuss the approach, risks and alternatives.
Manual Therapy If Appropriate
Proceed with your agreement when suitable; first-visit treatment is not assured.
Common questions
Manual Therapy FAQs
What is manual therapy?
A broad term for hands-on approaches involving muscles, soft tissues and joint movement. The technique is selected according to the evaluation.
Is manual therapy the same as an adjustment?
Not necessarily. Manual therapy is a broad category; a chiropractic adjustment is a more specific joint technique. Soft-tissue work and mobilization do not necessarily involve an adjustment.
What does manual therapy feel like?
You may feel pressure, stretching or movement, depending on the area and technique. Tell Dr. Goldstein how it feels.
Does manual therapy hurt?
Some techniques can be uncomfortable, and temporary tenderness or soreness may occur. You can ask for a change in pressure or positioning, or ask to stop.
Can manual therapy help with stiffness?
It may help some people with symptoms or movement limitations in the short term. The cause of stiffness, examination findings and response guide care.
Is manual therapy used for sports injuries?
It may be included for selected musculoskeletal symptoms as part of a plan addressing movement and rehabilitation needs.
Can manual therapy be used after a car accident?
For selected patients, after appropriate evaluation. Suspected serious injury requires medical assessment or referral before routine hands-on care.
Is rehabilitation still important?
Yes. Exercise and activity progression may remain important. Hands-on treatment is not a prerequisite for exercise.
Does manual therapy break up scar tissue?
It should not be described as reliably breaking up scar tissue. Treatment decisions are better explained through symptoms, movement and function than an assumed mechanical change to tissue.
How many sessions will I need?
Recommendations depend on the findings, goals and response. There is no fixed number for everyone; progress should be reassessed.
Is everyone a candidate?
No. Dr. Goldstein considers your medical history, examination, treatment area and the technique before deciding whether to proceed, change the approach or wait.
Medical Information
This page provides general educational information and does not replace individual medical evaluation or emergency care.
Sources: NICE: low-back pain care; NIH NCCIH: massage evidence and safety; Cochrane: manual therapy with exercise. Reviewed September 2026.
Hands-on care
Wondering Whether Manual Therapy Is Appropriate for You?
Start with an evaluation and a conversation about your symptoms, movement, goals and appropriate treatment options.