Orthopedic Manual Therapy is the evidence based textbook made to provide therapeutic examination, treatment and reassessment measures for orthopedic clinicians. The Orthopedic Manual Therapy textbook examines current manual physical therapy approaches, literature associated with examination and treatment techniques involving manual therapy, and evidence regarding diagnostic accuracy of clinical special tests. Each procedure of the therapy is presented in a step-by-step method with a visual aide or photograph for ease of reproduction.

When the laymen hear the term physical therapy, what most likely come into their mind are masseuses. Yet manual physical therapy delves much deeper than the typical run-of-the-mill masseuse. The benefits of orthopedic manual physical therapy far outweigh those of regular massages from untrained masseuses. Now one can ask what actually the physical therapy is! Orthopedic physical therapy is an actually science and technique. This technique is a far cry from the indiscriminate kneading and pounding of some professional masseuses. They only make people to feel better for awhile, sort of like a placebo. One of the benefits of orthopedic manual physical therapy compared to massages is that physical therapy cures them.

There are virtually hundreds of physical benefits of orthopedic manual therapy, but the key benefits are to evaluate physical problems, increase and maintain muscle strength and endurance, restore and increase joint range of motion, increase coordination, decrease pain, decrease muscle spasm and plasticity, decrease muscle swelling and inflammation of joints, promote healing of soft tissue lesions, prevent contracture and deformity of limbs, alleviate walking problems, educate patients and family, decrease stress and a whole lot more too numerous to mention. These are but a few of the orthopedic benefits of manual physical therapy.

Regular manual orthopedic massages from untrained individuals may prove beneficial in several ways, but in the long run and more bangs for the buck, orthopedic manual physical therapy very much eats the competition for lunch. The benefits of orthopedic physical therapy depend greatly on the treatment methods that physical therapists utilize. Some of the examples of the benefits are joint mobilization, trigger point release, soft tissue release, manual therapy, myofascial stretching, muscle re-education, modalities, therapeutic exercise, re-conditioning program, specific strengthening of weak muscles, and a home exercise program to name a few. These manual methods therapeutic massage are not only far superior to indiscriminate kneading and pounding, but proof of the scientific nature of physical therapy. The benefits of manual physical therapy are not only for instant gratification in terms of comfort, but the benefits are a long term solution for afflictions, a lasting cure for those who need it.

Some people with a sore back, often, instead of seeing a physical therapist, like to go to a masseuse for instant relief. In most of the cases these people do actually get instant relief, but after a few days, their spine grow worse and later on they walk with a permanent limp and crooked back; and they say that they should have gone to a physical therapist and regret badly not having gone. This instance is a perfect, if tragic to the benefits of physical therapy, and the pains and risks of leaving the health in the hands of untrained masseuses.