Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Manual Therapy 3
Other languages of instruction: English, Spanish
Teaching staff
For any queries students can make an appointment by sending an email to:
Dr. Carlos López de Celis carlesldc@uic.es (M1-M3)
Dra. Silvia Pérez Guillén sperezgu@uic.es (M2-M4)
Dr. Andoni Carrasco Uribarren acarrasco@uic.es (M2-M4)
Introduction
Manual therapy techniques are the most commonly used techniques among physiotherapists in clinical practice, being one of the most important presentation methods for its application of knowledge as well as an increase in the scientific rigor of its application.
The use of manual therapy for the purpose of diagnosis in Physiotherapy and also to address the treatment of a pathology or harmful process is becoming increasingly more relevant for professionals in Physiotherapeuty for the benefits it has in the overall health that is provided to patients.
In manual therapy, we can find the direct techniques or more structurally oriented techniques for joint mobilization and are the most commonly used in clinical practice as well as are part of the training in the degree of Physiotherapy. On the other hand, we also find indirect techniques or more functional techniques which seek to restore the function of structure or anatomic region mainly with independent movement. That's why this subject is taught. It allows students to comprehensively address both structural and functional techniques applied in musculoskeletal system.
Pre-course requirements
Not specified.
Objectives
- Improve manual ability, treating the patient at the same time as applying Manual Therapy and improving knowledge in the use of manual therapy techniques.
- Be able to deal with a patient who has a restriction of overall or segmental joint movement or at a musculoskeletal system level.
- Introduce students to the High-Speed joint techniques at vertebral and peripheral levels.
- Introduce students to the clinical reasoning for the Manual Therapy.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- 01 - Have the ability to analyze and synthesize.
- 02 - The ability to organize and plan.
- 09 - Demonstrate critical thinking skills.
- 10 - Develop autonomous learning skills.
- 15 - Demonstrate a concern for quality.
- 29.1 - Demonstrate a commitment to ongoing learning and self-improvement.
- 43 - Knowledge of physiotherapeutic procedures based on techniques and methods specific to physiotherapy interventions applied to the various disorders of all systems and medical and surgical specialisations, as well as health promotion and disease prevention.
- 48 - The ability to establish a physiotherapeutic diagnosis according to international norms and using internationally validated assessment tools.
- 48.2 - The ability to assess the patient's/client's needs in order to give priority to the ones that could compromise the rehabilitation process.
- 49 - The ability to design a physiotherapy treatment plan.
- 50 - The ability to execute, direct and coordinate a physiotherapy treatment plan while attending to the client's individual needs and using therapeutic tools specific to the physiotherapy profession.
- 50.1 - The ability to establish and implement physical therapy in treatments provided by all other medical and surgical specialties whenever it is deemed necessary.
- 50.6 - The ability to design and apply the various modalities of therapeutic techniques and reflex methods as well as other specific, alternative or complementary manual therapies that are used within the physiotherapy field.
Learning outcomes of the subject
The student applies manual therapy techniques to the pelvis and trunk.
The student applies manual therapy techniques to the peripheral musculoskeletal system.
- MAT12 - 01. Demonstrate palpatory skills for the correct identification of the different structures of the lower extremity, upper extremity and spine.
- MAT12 - 02. Apply specific manual therapy techniques in the different regions of the musculoskeletal system.
- MAT12 - 03. Apply an evaluation and treatment of osteo-arthro-neuro-myofascial dysfunctions of the lower extremity, upper extremity and spine.
- MAT12 - 04. Apply manual therapy treatment techniques according to the therapeutic objective of pain modulation or improvement of function.
- MAT12 - 05. Analyze the clinical findings found to establish a diagnosis in manual physiotherapy.
- MAT12 - 06. Demonstrate an attitude of motivation and improvement in your learning process.
Syllabus
Topic 1. Clinical Reasoning in Manual Therapy
Topic 2. Joint Concept: Treatment Plan, Concave-Convex Rule, Joint Play
Topic 3. Examination
3.1 Orientation Examination
3.2 Specific Examination
Topic 4. Manual Therapy Applied to the Lower Extremity
4.1 Manual Therapy of the Hip Joint
4.2 Manual Therapy of the Knee Joint
4.3 Manual Therapy of the Ankle Joint
4.4 Manual Therapy of the Foot Joint Complex
Topic 5. Manual Therapy Applied to the Pelvis and Spine
5.1 Manual Therapy of the Pelvic Region
5.2 Manual Therapy of the Lumbar Region
5.3 Manual Therapy of the Dorsal Region
5.4 Manual Therapy of the Cervical Region
Topic 6. Manual Therapy Applied to the Upper Extremity
6.1 Manual Therapy of the Shoulder and Shoulder Girdle
6.2 Manual Therapy of the Elbow Region
6.3 Manual therapy of the wrist and hand region
Teaching and learning activities
In person
| TRAINING ACTIVITY | METHODOLOGY | COMPETENCES | ECTS CREDITS |
| theoretical and practical seminars | cooperative learning learning contract presentation method / lecture problem-solving exercises | 01 02 09 30.1 37.4 43 47 49 50 51 53 | 3,6 |
| autonomous learning activities | learning contract | 10 15 29.1 | 1,8 |
| independent study | 43 53 | 3,6 |
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
This subject will be assessed by conducting a continuous assessment (10%) and a final exam (Practical exam 50% and Theorical exam 40%). It's imperative to approve the three sections to overcome the subject.
Attendance Regulations
The subjects included in the Degree in Physiotherapy present theoretical and practical content with the main objectives being the acquisition and development of procedures and technical skills directly related to the practical exercise of the profession. This determines the structure of these classes, in small groups with direct and continuous supervision of the teacher. Thus, attendance to seminars is considered essential and necessary to ensure the acquisition of these skills. Based on the above, absences can only be excused due to major causes and in all circumstances, if they exceed 30% of the training load, the students will be obliged to re-enroll in this subject in the next academic year, without the discussion of the possibility of a resit.The consequences derived from non-compliance with this regulation can have very negative effects directly related to the registration process (overlapping and / or academic incompatibilities), as well as the corresponding expectations in the completion of the Degree.
Bibliography and resources
CHAITOW, L. Técnicas de liberación posicional. 3a ed. Elsevier. 2009.
DVORAK, J.; DVORAK, V. Medicina manual: Diagnóstico (vol.1) Tratamiento (vol.2). Ed. Scriba. 1993.
HÉMATY-VASSEUR, F. Le T.O.G du traitment ostéopathique général à l’ajustemnt du corps. Sully. 2009.
KALTENBORN, F.M.. Fisioterapia manual columna. Mc Graw-Hill Inteamericana. Madrid, 2000.
KALTENBORN, F.M.. Fisioterapia manual extremidades. Mc Graw-Hill Inteamericana, Madrid, 1999.
KALTENBORN, F.M..Physiotherapy Manual Volume III. Handling-Pulling limbs and vertebral column (Spanish version by Prof.Dr.JMTricás) 1st edition in Spanish, 2009. OMT España.
K.HAINAUT. Introducción a la biomecánica. Jims, Barcelona 1976.
KAPANDJI, I. A. Cuadernos de fisiología articular I, II y III. Barcelona: Masson, 1973.
LEWIT, K. Terapia manipulativa para la rehabilitación del aparato locomotor. Paidotribo. Barcelona, 2002.
MICHAEL SHACKLOCK. Neurodinamica clínica. Elsevier España
MYERS, T. Vias anatómicas. 2a Edición. Elsevier. 2010.
NORDIN, M. Biomecánica del sistema musculoesquelético. 3a Ed. Mc Graw Hill. Madrid, 2004.
PAOLETTI, S. Las fascias. El papel de los tejidos en la mecànica humana. Paidotribo. 2004.
RODRIGO, C. MIRALLES, M. Biomecánica clínica del aparato locomotor. Masson. Barcelona, 1998.
TIXA, S. Atlas de anatomía palpatoria de cuello, tronco y extremidad superior. Investigación manual de superficie. Masson. Barcelona, 2000.
TIXA, S. Atlas de anatomía palpatoria de la extremidad inferior. Investigación manual de superficie. Masson. Barcelona, 1999.
TIXA, S. Atlas de Técnicas articulares. Tomo 1, 2 y 3.: Elsevier. Barcelona, 2008.
Evaluation period
- E1 14/01/2026 G1 08:00h
- E1 14/01/2026 A08 08:00h
- E1 14/01/2026 A10 08:00h
- E1 14/01/2026 G2 08:00h
- E2 06/07/2026 G2 10:00h
- E2 06/07/2026 A08 10:00h