The Manual Touch Physical Therapy

The Manual Touch Physical Therapy THE MANUAL TOUCH PT STORY
As a new PT over 25 years ago, I was drawn to deep tissue work, a direct, traditional manual physical therapy technique.

We use a Whole Body Approach to create unique traditional and non-traditional manual therapy and exercise plans for patients to reclaim function, life, movement, and enjoyment of the activities they love. Patients would come to me in pain; I would find the tender areas and “fix” them with deep pressure and force. For the majority of my patients, the deep tissue therapy worked wonders, but for some patients the deep tissue work either didn’t help or more often than not, made them feel worse (negative treatment reaction). In 1997, I began studying Integrative Manual Therapy, (IMT), an indirect, non-traditional manual therapy using gentle touch to facilitate the body’s healing process. Patients are evaluated holistically using advanced manual and visual diagnostics to determine which tissue layer or body system may be limiting their healing process. IMT therapy gently moves tissue layers or body systems indirectly into a more healthy alignment over time. After several years of IMT study, I realized I rarely used deep tissue therapy, but was using mostly IMT and getting great results with all my patients, including the patients that didn’t respond to direct deep tissue therapy. In order to re-educate patients to use their new body alignment, as well as optimize their function, therapeutic exercise and education is needed. So, as a complement to my manual skills, I became certified in Applied Functional Science. This is a holistic therapeutic exercise approach I use to discover what area of the body led to a patient’s injury or symptoms and to show patients how to prevent new or further injury. In addition, after I opened The Manual Touch PT in 2010, I brought my passion for running into my practice, by creating services for runners and triathletes to improve their performance and prevent injury. Now I brought all these pieces together, to create The Manual Touch PT philosophy. MISSION
We believe all body systems and mental/emotional health are connected. We take a whole body approach to discover why patients are not healing and what were the initial causes of their current symptoms. Our mission is to use this whole body approach to help patients heal and overcome pain and limitations, resulting in improved quality of life. We also aim to promote wellness in our communities through ongoing education.

Your next run could feel better—without changing your mileage.Join me tomorrow for a FREE Healthy Running Workshop and l...
08/14/2025

Your next run could feel better—without changing your mileage.

Join me tomorrow for a FREE Healthy Running Workshop and learn:

- How to run without pain
- Injury prevention tips for all ages
- Strength and mobility strategies that work

Join from your couch, your desk, or wherever you are. We’ll help you run stronger, safer, longer.

👉 https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/7we45fk

🚨 Tomorrow – Free Healthy Running Workshop 🚨Love running but hate the aches and pains?Join me tomorrow for a free sessio...
08/14/2025

🚨 Tomorrow – Free Healthy Running Workshop 🚨

Love running but hate the aches and pains?

Join me tomorrow for a free session that will help you run smarter, avoid injury, and keep your body strong—no matter your age.

💻 Attend from anywhere
🗓 August 14th at Noon (12 CT)
✅ Register now: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/7we45fk

Walking is something we do every day, but are you doing it mindfully? Bringing awareness to your steps can improve postu...
08/13/2025

Walking is something we do every day, but are you doing it mindfully?

Bringing awareness to your steps can improve posture, balance, and even reduce pain.

Small adjustments in the way you walk can make a big difference in your overall well-being.

https://themanualtouch.com/what-is-mindful-walking/

Posture isn’t just about how you sit—it’s how you move.Poor alignment can lead to chronic pain, especially in the back, ...
07/30/2025

Posture isn’t just about how you sit—it’s how you move.

Poor alignment can lead to chronic pain, especially in the back, knees, and shoulders.
Learning proper movement patterns is one of the fastest ways to reduce pain and regain strength.

https://themanualtouch.com/how-to-improve-your-posture/

Summer brings more activity—but also more chances for injury. As you’re going about your outdoor activities this summer,...
07/28/2025

Summer brings more activity—but also more chances for injury.

As you’re going about your outdoor activities this summer, don’t forget to be mindful of your body to keep it performing at its best.

From posture to pacing, these tips will help you move with more freedom and less pain.

👉 Dive in here: https://themanualtouch.com/summer-fun/

Do you keep dealing with the same injury?Repetitive injuries often stem from unaddressed imbalances or compensations in ...
07/26/2025

Do you keep dealing with the same injury?

Repetitive injuries often stem from unaddressed imbalances or compensations in the body.

Physical therapy helps you find the root cause—so you can break the cycle for good.

https://themanualtouch.com/contact/

Runners: Ever wonder why your body doesn’t bounce back like it used to?You’re invited to a free in-person workshop on Th...
07/11/2025

Runners: Ever wonder why your body doesn’t bounce back like it used to?

You’re invited to a free in-person workshop on Thursday, July 17th at 12:00 PM to learn how to run with less pain and more confidence.

Whether you're recovering from an injury or just want to run smarter as you age, this workshop will cover:

✅ The #1 mistake most runners make
✅ Why injuries linger and what to do about it
✅ Tips to stay strong, aligned, and moving pain-free

Space is limited—reserve your spot today!

https://www.nsymca.org/events/runners-healthy-running-any-age-1

Before you hop on a plane or hit the road, take a moment to prep your body. Travel may be exciting—but it’s also hard on...
06/27/2025

Before you hop on a plane or hit the road, take a moment to prep your body. Travel may be exciting—but it’s also hard on your back, hips, and shoulders.

Stiff seats, heavy bags, and long walks in unfamiliar shoes can trigger new pains or bring back old ones.

The good news is that there are exercises that help loosen tight spots, improve posture, and get your body ready for the journey ahead.

You don’t have to come home sore to have a great trip.

https://themanualtouch.com/avoid-vacation-injuries-with-pre-travel-exercises/

06/24/2025
Tired of that nagging back pain after sitting or standing too long? These 3 simple exercises can help ease tension and i...
06/21/2025

Tired of that nagging back pain after sitting or standing too long?

These 3 simple exercises can help ease tension and improve mobility—and you can do them right at home.

Your body wants to move—let’s help it feel better doing it.

To recover from or prevent back pain, you must have a strong core. Your core consists of your abdominals, back and hips. In this video, we'll walk you throug...

Address

325 N Milwaukee Ave, Ste D
Wheeling, IL
60090

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 6pm
Wednesday 8am - 6pm
Thursday 8am - 6pm
Friday 8am - 6pm

Telephone

+18475417600

Website

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Our Story

THE MANUAL TOUCH PT STORY As a new PT over 25 years ago, I was drawn to deep tissue work, a direct, traditional manual physical therapy technique. Patients would come to me in pain; I would find the tender areas and “fix” them with deep pressure and force. For the majority of my patients, the deep tissue therapy worked wonders, but for some patients the deep tissue work either didn’t help or more often than not, made them feel worse (negative treatment reaction).

In 1997, I began studying Integrative Manual Therapy, (IMT), an indirect, non-traditional manual therapy using gentle touch to facilitate the body’s healing process. Patients are evaluated holistically using advanced manual and visual diagnostics to determine which tissue layer or body system may be limiting their healing process. IMT therapy gently moves tissue layers or body systems indirectly into a more healthy alignment over time. After several years of IMT study, I realized I rarely used deep tissue therapy, but was using mostly IMT and getting great results with all my patients, including the patients that didn’t respond to direct deep tissue therapy.

In order to re-educate patients to use their new body alignment, as well as optimize their function, therapeutic exercise and education is needed. So, as a complement to my manual skills, I became certified in Applied Functional Science. This is a holistic therapeutic exercise approach I use to discover what area of the body led to a patient’s injury or symptoms and to show patients how to prevent new or further injury. In addition, after I opened The Manual Touch PT in 2010, I brought my passion for running into my practice, by creating services for runners and triathletes to improve their performance and prevent injury.

Now I brought all these pieces together, to create The Manual Touch PT philosophy. We use a Whole Body Approach to create unique traditional and non-traditional manual therapy and exercise plans for patients to reclaim function, life, movement, and enjoyment of the activities they love. MISSION We believe all body systems and mental/emotional health are connected. We take a whole body approach to discover why patients are not healing and what were the initial causes of their current symptoms. Our mission is to use this whole body approach to help patients heal and overcome pain and limitations, resulting in improved quality of life. We also aim to promote wellness in our communities through ongoing education.