The term “Manual Therapy” is broad, and definitely does not belong solely to the realm of physiotherapy. It can encompass a myriad of techniques across the spectrum of rehab professionals.
Within Physiotherapy, “Manual Therapy” is often at the core of what drives evaluation and treatment in most orthopedic cases. Most simply, it refers to “hands-on” techniques aimed at improving pain and function. In its more sophisticated form, it refers to advanced techniques that aim to restore proper biomechanical movement to a joint.
How do you become a “Manual Therapist”?
For Physiotherapists, Manual Therapy training begins at the university level. Each student graduates with a strong base of manual evaluation and treatment techniques to help them navigate through the first few years of their career. If they are inclined to continue their education in the field, physiotherapists can then embark on the post-graduate manual therapy journey.
In Canada, there are a couple of different education options that are accredited and recognized internationally. The highest level of manual therapy qualification is known as the FCAMPT certification (Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Physical Therapists), and is overseen by CAMPT. This internationally recognized designation is awarded to therapists who have undergone rigorous training and successfully passed both an intermediate and advanced exam in the field.
What difference does it make?
Although the basis of this manual therapy certification centers on hands-on techniques, this is not the only area of focus. Fine-tuned interview and listening techniques, advanced exercise prescription, and early recognition of medical red-flags that require referral to a medical specialist are among some of the other skills perfected throughout the course of education.
All this translates into a therapist who is definitely more well-rounded post-education than pre-education, something that both therapist and patient benefit from.