Manual Therapy

Q: What happens during a manual therapy session?

Manual therapy begins with a thorough examination and analysis of your complaints . We then perform specific manual techniques to relieve your pain, release blockages and improve your mobility in the long term. We take sufficient time to understand your individual needs and create a customized treatment program for you.

Manual therapy is a specialized form of physiotherapy that focuses on the treatment of acute and chronic movement restrictions.

Typical areas of application:

ArthrosisCervical spine syndromeEpicondylitisHeadachesLWS SyndromNeck painShoulder complaintsSlipped discSpinal joint pain

Our stations for Manual Therapy

Together with you, we select the most suitable methods from the various areas of physiotherapy. You can choose which physiotherapist you would like to be treated by at our locations in and around Zurich.

Physio Station Affoltern

Physio Station Albisrieden

Physio Station Dietikon

Physio Station Schlieren

What is manual therapy?

Manual therapy, also known as manual medicine, is one of the oldest treatment methods for alleviating musculoskeletal problems. The primary “tools” in manual therapy are the hands of our physiotherapists. Through targeted grips and techniques, they can release blockages and reduce tension. If movement is restricted due to a malfunction of the joints and vertebrae, we intervene manually to restore physiological function. If necessary, the surrounding muscles, tendons and ligaments are also treated. This is always done without excessive force and aims to both relieve pain and eliminate the cause of the restricted movement, so that we can restore your mobility as quickly as possible.

Who is a candidate for manual therapy?

Typical indications for our manual pain therapy are restrictions in the function and movement of the spine or other joints caused by poor posture, improper loading, wear and tear or injury, such as osteoarthritis, sports injuries, pain syndromes, muscle and ligament injuries, jaw dysfunction and much more.

When is manual physiotherapy not suitable?

There are also cases in which manual therapy is not suitable. These include acute herniated discs, dizziness due to poor blood flow in the arteries supplying the brain, inflammatory diseases of the spine (e.g. in rheumatoid arthritis), tumors and degenerative changes in the spine or joints (e.g. advanced osteoporosis).

How does manual therapy work?

Manual medicine is based on the fundamentals of anatomy and physiology. The focus is on joints such as the knee joint, hip joint, etc. (the connection between two or more bones) and the mobile segments of the spine. A mobile segment of the spine consists of two adjacent vertebrae that are connected by intervertebral discs, vertebral joints, tendons and muscles and are therefore mobile.

Examination of pain and movement limits: The first step in manual therapy is to determine your “pain threshold” or restrictions on movement and to examine whether these are caused by possible blockages. We check how far you can move yourself up to this pain threshold and whether this limit may be based on a specific cause (such as a herniated disc).
Mobilization and manipulation: After the examination and diagnosis, we begin with the actual therapy, which can be either mobilization or manipulation. During mobilization, we gently and continuously move the affected areas to increase range of motion and relieve pain. Manipulation, on the other hand, uses faster movements to release stubborn blockages and restore mobility. Manual therapy can also be used to release tension in the muscles around the joints, helping to relieve pain and improve function and mobility.
Active training to supplement: It is important to emphasize that you should also do active training alongside manual therapy. This helps to maintain and further develop the progress achieved in manual physiotherapy.

Advantages of manual therapy

Manual therapy offers numerous advantages. It can alleviate acute pain and improve symptoms after just one or two treatments. It also enables improved mobility and helps our patients to live their daily lives with fewer restrictions.

Questions and answers

Do you have any questions? Here are some of the most common ones:

What happens during a manual therapy session?

Manual therapy begins with a thorough examination and analysis of your complaints. We then perform specific manual techniques to relieve your pain, release blockages and improve your mobility in the long term.

We take sufficient time to understand your individual needs and create a customized treatment program for you.

Are there any contraindications to manual therapy?

If you suffer from acute inflammation, joint diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or fresh fractures, manual therapy is not necessarily the right treatment method for you. We therefore conduct a thorough anamnesis before we start treatment.

Is manual therapy painful?

During the treatment, there may be a certain degree of discomfort, especially when deep blockages are released. However, this discomfort should subside after the treatment when the noticeably pleasant effect of the released blockage or tension occurs.

How long does a session of manual therapy take?

The duration of manual therapy varies from case to case and may require several sessions for persistent or chronic complaints. In some cases, however, one or two sessions may be enough to get rid of your complaints. Our physiotherapists will also recommend specific exercises for you to do at home that are tailored to your individual problem. Consistent and regular practice of these exercises contributes significantly to long-term therapy success.

Is manual therapy covered by health insurance?

Yes, as a rule, statutory health insurance funds (basic insurance) pay for your manual therapy in Zurich. The prerequisite is that you have been prescribed manual therapy by your attending physician and that there is therefore a medical necessity for the treatment.

Can manual therapy also be used preventively?

Yes, manual therapy can also be used preventatively. Although it is often associated with the treatment of acute complaints or injuries, manual therapy can also be used to prevent potential problems from occurring by improving overall mobility, muscle function and joint mechanics.

Self-directed training

Prevent chronic complaints by exercising regularly.

With a training subscription at the Physio Station, you not only relieve acute pain, but also prevent recurring symptoms in the long term. At the same time, you improve your mobility and strengthen your muscles. In this way, you can improve your quality of life in the long term and lead an active, pain-free life.