An Analytical Review Of The Status Of Manipulative Therapy

Abstract

This paper presents an analytical review of literature regarding the nature, identity, definition and knowledge base of manipulative therapy—a part of physiotherapy activity. Contemporary definitions of manipulative therapy are suggested to be inadequate in accounting for the holistic nature of manipulative therapy activity. Research and discussion literature regarding the identity of manipulative therapy reveals a high level of confusion and uncertainty. Agreement of an acceptable framework by which to facilitate meaningful inquiry into manipulative therapy cannot be found. Conclusively, manipulative therapy is suggested to be a complex human activity which lacks definition, identity, and theory. This analysis shall form the foundation of further investigation into the definition of manipulative therapy. The use of a unique methodology in manipulative therapy as a conceptual framework of inquiry is proposed on the basis of the outcomes of this review.