When something feels stiff, sore, or restricted, it is natural to look for a single solution. A massage, an adjustment, a set of stretches, or a new exercise routine. Each of these can be helpful, but they tend to work best when they are part of the same plan. Manual therapy and exercise address different aspects of the same problem, which is why they are so often used together in musculoskeletal care.
What Is Manual Therapy?
Manual therapy is a group of hands-on techniques used to assess and treat the joints, muscles, and soft tissues of the body. Depending on the practitioner and the presenting problem, it may include joint mobilisation, spinal adjustments, soft tissue techniques, and guided stretching.
At The Hundred, manual therapy is delivered by both chiropractors and physiotherapists. Chiropractic care tends to focus on restoring movement to restricted joints, particularly through the spine, while physiotherapy often combines hands-on treatment with a structured recovery plan.
What Manual Therapy May Help With
The effects of manual therapy vary from person to person and depend on what is contributing to the discomfort in the first place. In general, hands-on treatment may help to:
- Support movement through stiff or restricted joints
- Ease muscle tension and tightness in the surrounding tissues
- Reduce localised discomfort, creating a more comfortable starting point for movement
- Help make movement more comfortable after prolonged sitting
- Help identify areas of the body that may be moving less well than they should
For many people, one of the most practical effects is that when a joint moves more freely and the surrounding muscles feel less tense, it can become easier and more comfortable to exercise.
Why Exercise Matters
Manual therapy is largely a passive treatment, meaning the practitioner does the work. On its own, it may support a stiff area in moving more freely, but it does not build the strength, control, and endurance needed to sustain that movement over time.
Regular exercise can support longer-term improvements in strength, mobility, and function. Targeted exercise strengthens the muscles that support the joints, improves coordination, and helps the body maintain the progress made during treatment.
How the Two Approaches Work Together
Manual therapy and exercise complement each other in a fairly natural sequence. Hands-on treatment may help to reduce restriction and discomfort, which can open up a more comfortable range of movement. Exercise then helps the body learn to use that range, building the strength and control to support it over time.
A common example is a stiff upper back linked to long hours at a desk. Hands-on treatment may help the joints of the upper back move more freely, while exercise supports the muscles that hold the shoulders and spine in a better position. Together, these approaches may help improve comfort and function in everyday life.
Research on musculoskeletal conditions such as neck and lower back pain often points in the same direction, with a combination of hands-on care and exercise commonly recommended over relying on a single approach.
Who May Benefit
A combined approach may be worth considering if you experience:
- Neck, shoulder, or upper back tension linked to desk work
- Lower back stiffness that returns after sitting or activity
- Reduced range of movement through a joint
- Recurring discomfort that settles with treatment but comes back
- A return to activity after injury, where strength and control need to be rebuilt
An assessment is the most appropriate starting point for identifying what is contributing to your symptoms and which combination of treatment and exercise may be suitable.
What a Combined Approach Looks Like at The Hundred
Care at The Hundred is built around individual assessment rather than a fixed routine. Chiropractic care is led by Dr. Gary Fitzgerald, who takes a thorough and individualised approach to assessment and treatment, with the focus on understanding the movement patterns and underlying factors that may be contributing to symptoms. Physiotherapy is led by Sowon Jang and Krisztina Jolsvai.
For muscular and soft tissue concerns, Deep Soft Tissue Therapy with Sowon Jang is a physiotherapist-led option focused on pain modulation and movement restoration, working with areas of tightness and restriction that may be associated with stiffness, discomfort, or reduced mobility.
Exercise-based rehabilitation is available through Pilates for rehabilitation, delivered by DHA-licensed physiotherapist Sowon Jang, using slow, controlled movement to support the rebuilding of strength and stability. Because these services are available under one roof, treatment and exercise can be coordinated from the outset rather than arranged separately.
Booking at The Hundred Wellness Centre
At The Hundred Wellness Centre in Jumeirah 1, manual therapy and exercise can be combined within a single coordinated plan, with Pilates for rehabilitation available for the exercise side depending on individual needs.
The initial chiropractic consultation is 30 minutes and costs AED 500. Follow-up appointments are AED 390. Physiotherapy sessions are AED 500 for 45 minutes, and Pilates for rehabilitation sessions are AED 500 for 55 minutes. Insurance reimbursement depends on your policy, the service provided, and any referral or pre-authorisation requirements. Please check with your insurer before booking.
If stiffness or discomfort has been affecting your daily movement, a professional assessment can help identify what is contributing to it and determine the most appropriate path forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does manual therapy hurt?
Manual therapy is generally well tolerated. Some people notice mild soreness afterwards, similar to the feeling after exercise, which usually settles within a day or two. Treatment is adapted to your comfort and your response throughout.
Can I do exercises without manual therapy?
In many cases, yes. Exercise alone can be very effective for building strength and mobility. Manual therapy is often considered when stiffness, tension, or discomfort makes it difficult to move or exercise comfortably.
How soon will I notice a difference?
This varies depending on the cause, how long symptoms have been present, and how consistently exercises are carried out. Some people notice a change in comfort within a few sessions, while longer-standing issues may take more time.
Is a combined approach suitable for everyone?
Not always. An assessment is needed to determine which treatments and exercises are appropriate for the individual. Severe, worsening, or unexplained symptoms, or symptoms such as numbness or weakness, should be medically assessed.
