Manual therapy: Exploiting the role of human touch

Introduction: The physiotherapy approach to musculoskeletal pain is currently pointing more towards a hands-off management of patients by education and exercise therapy. However, hands-on techniques still represent a core element of musculoskeletal physiotherapy practice appreciated by patients and widely taught in educational program and clinical professional development training. Purpose: This professional issue explain why hands-on techniques may be considered a specific form of touch and outlines the importance of having a deep and wider understanding of their action mechanisms. Three aspects of the human touch, namely analgesic, affective and somatoperceptual are considered in light of the current literature.