I received my orthopedic manual therapy certification in 1990 from Curtin University in Perth, Western Australia. This world-renowned university has a program, the graduate diploma in manipulative therapy (GDMT) that is second to none in physical therapy postgraduate education. I was accepted into the program in 1990 and had to spend an entire calendar year in Perth. Back then, 1990’s if a physical therapist wanted to learn the fine art of spinal manipulation, they had to travel overseas to obtain this type of training. Australia, Norway, and England were places that you could obtain certifications in orthopedic manipulative physical therapy (OMPT). This new term, OMPT was used to not confuse our style of manipulation of the spine from the way Chiropractors manipulated the spine. Therefore, to differentiate it with the words orthopedic manual physical therapy, made for clarification. In simplistic terms, PT’s use spinal and peripheral joint manipulation to improve mobility in a joint, whereas Chiropractors may use the spinal manipulative techniques to adjust a spinal segment that they found from the palpation exam to be stuck, not moving, or out of proper alignment. These explanations of what each profession does is a simplistic way of saying that we both move joints with slightly different reasons and philosophy. This article is not intended to say that any one type of manual manipulative treatment is better than the other. They are all very effective in creating movement of the spine or extremity joints. The main goal for all of us healthcare professionals is to help our patients get out of pain.

Since the mid 2000’s PTs were not allowed to do spinal manipulations as those techniques and terminology was not in our practice act in many states across the United States. Today, every PT program across the US teaches spinal and peripheral joint manipulation (high velocity thrust techniques) and PT’s all over the nation use these techniques to help people get out of pain by restoring joint mobility. I have been teaching spinal manipulative therapy techniques in two different programs across the country since the mid 2000’s. I have found great pleasure in providing patients with pain easing manual therapy techniques. PTs also use more gentle mobilization techniques to ease pain in spinal joints just like the other professional (Chiropractors and Osteopaths) that manipulate the spine. They use their hands, or the activator adjusting tool. In summary, PT’s, DC’s, DO’s all move joints with varying degrees of force. From the gentlest mobilization technique to an end-of-range quick thrust technique to create intentional bone movement. Quick thrust techniques can also be performed in mid-range when there is still significant pain. Us manual therapists (PT’s, DC’s, and DO’s) all have slightly different ways that we explain the ‘how and why’ we use these techniques as our philosophies are different.

John Seivert, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT, NCPT isFaculty and Mentor for Kaiser Northern California & Evidence in Motion (EIM) Ortho Residency & Fellowship Programs. He has been practicing for 40 years. He opened Body Logic Physical Therapy in Grass Valley in 2001 and has recently (2024) transitioned to staff PT. He has been educating physical therapists since 1986. Contact him at bodylogic2011@yahoo.com

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