An Overview of Research in Manual Therapy

Abstract

Manual therapy techniques are often used to augment the healing process by professionals such as massage therapists, athletic trainers, and physical therapists. The term manual therapy includes a wide variety of techniques such as stretching, massage, joint mobilization, Active Release Technique, Strain-Counterstrain, Myofascial Release, and the Graston Technique. Though a wide variety of manual therapy techniques are extensively used, the evidence based research to support these techniques remains relatively low. This thesis will review the different types of manual therapy, take an in-depth look at the research behind the Graston Technique, and examine the future of research in manual therapy.