Manual therapy

The initial consultation costs $150, or $166 with a senior physical therapist, and lasts about 60 minutes. It is used to make a diagnosis, identify the source of your pain, and develop a treatment plan. Follow-up appointments cost $110, or $119 with a senior physical therapist. We also accept cases from the CNESST and the SAAQ.

Manual therapy is a set of manual techniques, such as joint mobilization and manipulation, that aim to restore joint movement and modify muscle tone using the hands. Its goal is to restore function, not merely to provide temporary relief. It helps relieve back and spinal pain, neck pain, stiffness in the shoulder, hip, or foot, headaches of cervical origin, and various musculoskeletal injuries affecting different parts of the body. It is particularly useful when problems recur or persist over the course of several weeks. Our physical therapists assess the affected area before selecting the technique best suited to your condition.

After a brief examination, the physical therapist uses manual techniques with their hands: slow mobilizations, controlled pressure on the joint or muscle, and then guided movements to restore range of motion. The treatment is pain-free and tailored to each patient’s tolerance. The session often ends with advice and simple exercises to continue at home.

Manual therapy is painless and well tolerated: the movements are carefully controlled, and the physical therapist adjusts the pressure based on your comfort level and your response. It is normal to feel slight tenderness after a session, similar to what you might feel after exercise; this sensation usually subsides within a day or two. If you experience sharp pain, the technique is adjusted immediately to stay within your tolerance level.

In Quebec, physical therapy is available through direct access: no doctor’s referral is required to schedule an appointment at Physioactif. However, some private insurers may require a referral for reimbursement, so please check the terms of your plan. We also accept claims from the CNESST for work-related injuries and from the SAAQ for traffic accidents.

A physical therapist is a healthcare professional trained and supervised to assess, diagnose, and treat musculoskeletal pain using manual therapy. Across Canada, physical therapy is a regulated profession, and this therapist—a member of the OPPQ—selects the appropriate manual techniques following a clinical evaluation before combining them with active treatment. Another approach, such as osteopathy, also exists in Quebec and operates within a distinct manual framework; however, we will guide you toward the treatment plan that best suits your condition and provide follow-up care thereafter.