When it comes to manual therapy, you might think you’re doing a great job. But if your hands are hurting at the end of the day, or your patients aren’t getting better, I hate to break it to you—you might suck at manual therapy. Yeah, I said it! And that’s okay. Because guess what? I was there too.
When I first started hand therapy, I didn’t know what I was doing. I copied what others did, hoping for the best. Back then, if you didn’t have other therapists around to learn from, you were stuck. But today, you can go online, watch videos, and find all kinds of resources to improve. The key is being honest with yourself. If you want to get better, you have to admit where you need help. Online Occupational Therapy Courses can be a great way to learn new techniques and refine your skills without feeling lost or stuck.
Not only do you need to improve your skills for your patients, but you also need to protect yourself. If your body breaks down, you won’t have a long career in therapy. And if you can’t work, you can’t help anyone. So, let’s get into five ways to improve your manual therapy skills so you can get better results while keeping your hands and body safe.
1. Use Your Whole Hand
You’d be surprised how many therapists only use their fingertips—like they’re sipping tea with their pinky out! We’re not drinking tea here.
If you want to improve your manual therapy skills, start using your whole hand. This means:
- Using the sides of your fingers
- Using the pads of your fingertips
- Using the back of your knuckles
- Even using different parts of your thumb
One tip: Keep your nails short. If you’re in hand therapy, short nails are a must. They allow you to use your hands properly and apply the right amount of pressure without hurting yourself or your patient. Attention to small details like this is important when learning How to Become a Certified Hand Therapist, as proper technique and patient comfort are key to success in this field.
2. Use Both Hands
You have two hands—use them!
I see so many therapists using only one hand while the other just hangs there, doing nothing. If you’ve ever taken my splinting course, you know I teach that one hand stabilizes while the other moves. It’s the same concept in manual therapy.
You may be working on just one finger, but your second hand should always be stabilizing. This helps your patient feel secure and allows you to be more precise with your movements. Especially in hand therapy, where we work with a lot of post-surgical patients, ensuring their comfort and safety is essential for a successful session—and it’s a crucial part of earning your Hand Therapy Certification.
3. Use Your Whole Body
Stop sitting stiffly at a table and only using your hands! Your whole body should be involved in manual therapy.
A lot of therapists don’t think about their own body mechanics. But using your legs, trunk, and posture can make a huge difference in how effective you are. Here are a few things to consider:
- Adjust your position based on the patient’s height and mobility
- Stand up if needed instead of always sitting across the table
- Use your legs to shift your weight instead of straining your arms
By using your whole body, you’ll not only be more effective—you’ll also prevent injuries to yourself.
4. Know Your Anatomy
If you don’t know your anatomy, you need to fix that ASAP.
And I’m not talking about memorizing textbook anatomy. You need to know it in a way that makes sense when you’re actually working with a patient. That means:
- Understanding how bones, muscles, and tendons interact
- Knowing which structures you’re working on during manual therapy
- Being able to adjust techniques based on what’s happening with the patient’s body
If you’re struggling with this, take a class that helps you apply anatomy in a practical way. When I designed my courses, I made sure to focus on real-world applications because I hated sitting through anatomy lessons that made no sense when it came to actual patient care.
5. Learn Various Techniques
Don’t get stuck using just one technique!
A lot of therapists rely on the one method they learned in school or from a coworker. But manual therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all. Every patient is different, and different techniques work better for different situations.
For example, when working with a stiff wrist, I don’t just press with my thumbs. I use my whole trunk to stabilize and apply pressure. This prevents overuse injuries in my hands while also being more effective for the patient.
Learning different techniques will make you more adaptable, prevent fatigue, and help you get better results.
Want to see these techniques in action? Watch my full video here: 5 Ways to Improve Your Manual Therapy Skills
Take Your Skills to the Next Level with Hand Therapy Secrets
If you’re ready to improve your manual therapy skills, build confidence, and protect your body, check out my mentorship programs and online courses. Whether you’re just starting or exploring Certified Hand Therapist Requirements, I’ve got resources to help you every step of the way.
Hand Therapy Mentorship Program
One of the best ways to grow as a therapist is by learning from those who’ve been in the field longer. That’s exactly what my Hand Therapy Mentorship Program is designed for—helping you gain hands-on skills, refine your techniques, and feel more confident treating patients. Whether you’re preparing for certification or just want to get better at what you do, mentorship gives you the support and guidance you need. Don’t go through the journey alone—join the program today and take your skills to the next level!
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The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.
