International Journal of Sport, Exercise and Health Research 2025; 9(2): 38-49 DOI:10.31254/sportmed.9202
Utilisation of Manual Therapy for Peripheral Musculoskeletal Disorders Among United Kingdom-Based Physiotherapists: A Cross-Sectional Study
1. Physiotherapy Department, Keele University, Keele, England, UK
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 29th November, 2025 / Accepted: 4th February, 2026 / Published : 12th February, 2026
Background: Manual therapy (MT) plays an important role in the treatment of peripheral musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders. The use of MT for peripheral MSK disorders in clinical practice across different workplace MSK settings in the UK is not well known. Aims: The aims of this study were to investigate the trends in the use of MT techniques for the treatment of peripheral MSK disorders among MSK physiotherapists in different work settings and explore where physiotherapists learnt these techniques and perceptions of the teaching of these techniques. Method: This cross-sectional study recruited MSK physiotherapists in the United Kingdom to complete an on-line survey. The survey consisted of three sections consisting of demographic information, use of MT techniques in practice, and where MT techniques were learnt and perceptions of the teaching. Quantitative and qualitative data were analysed descriptively. Results: Thirty-five participants completed the study, with 34 were eligible for analysis. Most sports and private practice physiotherapists used a variety of MT techniques daily or often (3-5 days per week). Most National Health Service physiotherapists used MT seldom or never. Barriers to the use of MT were related to workplace setting for National Health Service physiotherapist’s and were enablers for sports and private practice physiotherapists. Most physiotherapists were satisfied with how they were taught MT. Recommendations for improvement included more evidence-based practice, increased practice of MT techniques and use of real-life cases. Conclusion: Manual therapy is used more frequently by sports and private practice physiotherapists than physiotherapists in the National Health Service, which were related to workplace enablers and barriers, respectively. The teaching of MT techniques is generally well received, however more practice of evidence-based techniques, using real-life case and providing a balanced approach considering biopsychosocial mechanisms involved in MT is suggested.
Musculoskeletal, Physiotherapy, Survey, Manual therapy.
