Coming soon
Manual Therapy
Hands-on treatment to ease pain and stiffness.
- Treatment time
- Within a physiotherapy session
- Downtime
- None
About Manual Therapy
Manual therapy is hands-on treatment: joint mobilisation, soft-tissue techniques and stretching, used to ease pain and stiffness and help you move more freely. Romulo combines it with advice and exercise so the improvement you feel in clinic carries over into everyday life.
Key Benefits
- 01Hands-on treatment for pain and stiffness
- 02Tailored to your assessment, not a set routine
- 03Combined with exercise so the benefit lasts
- 04Helps you move with more confidence
- 05Suitable for many back, neck and joint problems
Is this treatment right for me?
Manual therapy suits many people with back, neck and joint pain or stiffness, as part of a wider physiotherapy plan.
You may be suitable if…
- You have back, neck or joint pain or stiffness
- Movement feels restricted or guarded
- You'd like hands-on treatment alongside exercise
Your consultation will consider…
- Your diagnosis and any reason hands-on treatment should be avoided
- Osteoporosis, recent fractures or surgery
- Blood-thinning medication or bleeding disorders
- How you respond, adjusting the pressure to your comfort
What to expect
Before treatment
Your first appointment is a full physiotherapy assessment with Romulo. He'll ask about your symptoms, how and when they started, your medical history, your work and activities, and what you'd like to get back to doing. Bring any scans, letters or reports you have. Wear comfortable clothing that lets him see and move the area being treated.
During treatment
Romulo uses his hands to move your joints and work on muscles and soft tissue, checking your comfort throughout. Treatment is adjusted to how your body responds.
After treatment
You may feel looser straight away. Romulo will give you exercises to keep that movement going between sessions.
Results & longevity
Many people notice easier movement soon after a session; lasting improvement usually comes from combining hands-on treatment with exercise over a course of sessions. Results vary from person to person.
Recovery, side effects & aftercare
There is no downtime. You may feel a little sore for a day, as you might after exercise.
Side effects
Mild soreness or stiffness for up to a day or two is common after hands-on treatment. Occasionally symptoms flare briefly before improving.
Aftercare
Keep up the exercises and advice Romulo gives you; they matter as much as the treatment in clinic. Stay gently active rather than resting completely, unless he has told you otherwise, and note how your symptoms respond so you can discuss it at your next session.
Please contact the clinic if your pain becomes much worse after treatment, or if you have any concern. Seek urgent medical help (NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency) for new numbness around the groin or buttocks, new problems controlling your bladder or bowels, weakness in the legs, or chest pain.
- Downtime
- None for most people
- Redness
- Occasionally mild redness over the treated area, settling within hours
- Swelling
- Not expected
- Bruising
- Uncommon
- Normal activities
- Usually straight away; Romulo will tell you if anything should be avoided for a day or two
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it hurt?
It shouldn't be more than mildly uncomfortable. Romulo works within your comfort and adjusts the pressure as he goes.
Is it the same as a massage?
No. Manual therapy includes joint mobilisation and targeted techniques chosen from your assessment, as part of a physiotherapy plan.
How many sessions will I need?
It depends on the problem and how long you've had it. After your assessment Romulo will give you a written plan with the number of sessions he recommends, so you can decide before committing to anything.
What should I wear?
Comfortable clothing that allows the area to be seen and moved, for example shorts for a knee or hip problem, or a vest top for a shoulder.
Can I claim on private medical insurance?
Some insurers cover treatment by an HCPC registered physiotherapist. Please check with your insurer before booking, as policies differ.
Do I need a GP referral?
No. You can book directly. If Romulo finds anything that needs a doctor's attention or a scan, he will tell you and explain the next step.
Your Practitioner
Romulo Costa
HCPC Registered Physiotherapist
Romulo is an HCPC registered physiotherapist with more than a decade's experience, from intensive care and rehabilitation to musculoskeletal medicine and long-standing pain. He trained in Brazil, where he ran his own rehabilitation clinic, before moving to Scotland and running his own clinic in Motherwell specialising in chronic pain and spinal problems. He starts by listening: to understand not just where it hurts, but what the pain has stopped you doing and why it hasn't settled. Every plan is built on a thorough assessment and explained clearly, with shockwave, laser and hands-on treatment used only where they have a clear purpose.