What REALLY Happens in Manual Therapy?

What actually happens when we deliver manual therapy? And how is our teaching of MT evolving as the science gets clearer? Clinician–researcher Damian Keter joins us to break down the real mechanisms behind manual therapy — and the future of how PTs should be trained to use it. Damian works in complex pain management within the VA system and leads research on manual therapy mechanisms, contextual factors, and emerging training models. His work sits right at the intersection of science, education, and real-world clinical practice. In this conversation, we dig into where the profession has been, where it’s going, and why the next decade of manual therapy will look very different from the last. In this episode: 🔹 The latest research on manual therapy treatment mechanisms 🔹 Why the “tissue vs neurophysiology” debate is missing the point 🔹 How contextual factors influence outcomes (and why they matter) 🔹 The evolution of manual therapy education: what must change 🔹 What MT educators should prioritize moving forward 🔹 How clinicians can think more clearly about mechanisms 🔹 Why the VA is an important environment for complex pain care If you’re an MT educator, researcher, or someone trying to deliver care that truly makes sense — this episode is a must-listen.