Leap Education
Manual Therapy vs Exercise-Based Therapy: Which Is Right for You?
Author
Director, Physiotherapist. Doctor of Physiotherapy B.Ex.Sc
Daniel White-Alikakos is the Director and Lead Physiotherapist at Leap Healthcare in Mount Waverley, where he helps clients recover from injury, improve movement, and return to the activities they love. Holding a Doctor of Physiotherapy and a Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science, Daniel specialises in sports injury rehabilitation, running assessments, and strength-based recovery programs. With over a decade of clinical experience and a background as an elite-level sprinter, he delivers evidence-based care tailored to athletes and active individuals of all levels.
Recovering from an injury or managing a chronic condition requires the right treatment plan. At Leap Healthcare in Mount Waverley, we offer both manual therapy and exercise-based therapy. These two physiotherapy approaches each play a valuable role in helping you recover, regain strength and return to doing what you love.
Understanding their differences can help you feel confident about the treatment path that suits your needs.
What Is Manual Therapy?
Manual therapy is a hands-on technique used by physiotherapists to reduce pain, improve mobility and promote healing. It involves skilled movements and pressure applied to muscles, joints and soft tissue structures.
Benefits of Manual Therapy
Helps relieve pain and tension
Improves joint mobility and flexibility
Supports early-stage recovery
Can be used alongside exercise programs for better results
Manual therapy is especially useful after recent injuries, surgery or when stiffness limits movement.
What Is Exercise-Based Therapy?
Exercise-based therapy involves guided movement and rehabilitation exercises tailored to your condition and goals. It focuses on building strength, stability and function over time.
Benefits of Exercise-Based Therapy
Restores muscle strength and control
Improves balance, coordination and flexibility
Supports long-term recovery and injury prevention
Helps manage chronic conditions and pain
Exercise-based therapy empowers you to stay active in your recovery and maintain results beyond the clinic.
Which Approach Should You Take?
Most people benefit from a combination of both therapies. Manual therapy helps reduce pain and restore movement in the early stages. Exercise-based therapy builds on this progress by strengthening and retraining the body for long-term results.
When Manual Therapy Is Recommended
After a recent injury
When joint stiffness or muscle tightness is present
During post-surgical rehabilitation
When Exercise-Based Therapy Is Recommended
For long-term recovery and function
To improve performance and prevent injury
For chronic pain or recurring issues
Personalised Physiotherapy in Mount Waverley
At Leap Healthcare, we tailor each treatment plan based on your condition, goals and lifestyle. Our physiotherapists combine expert manual therapy with progressive, evidence-based exercise to give you the best chance at a full recovery.
Whether you are returning to sport, managing pain or recovering from surgery, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Book your consultation today and take the next step towards feeling stronger, moving better and living pain-free.