Physiotherapy on Holtenauer Straße

Manual therapy in Kiel

We examine and treat joints, muscles and nerves with our hands – precisely where mobility is restricted or pain originates.

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Kiel, Holtenauer Straße 100 Appointments by arrangement

Every treatment starts with an assessment

Treatment without devices, using only the hands

Exercises for home after every session

Assessment report to the referring practice on request

The principle

Treating with our hands

In manual therapy, the hands serve as both diagnostic and treatment tool: they assess the joint, muscle and nerve and then continue working exactly where the restriction appears.

First, assess

Manual therapy begins with a structured assessment. We check the mobility of individual joints step by step, examining joint play, muscle tension and the gliding of the nerves within the surrounding tissue. We compare with the opposite side to classify any differences. The cause is often not located at the site of the complaint itself – with knee pain, for example, the hip may be involved.

Then, treat

Based on this assessment, we apply mobilising techniques, complemented by traction and soft-tissue techniques on tense or shortened muscles. All measures are dosed and carried out in consultation with you, tailored to your symptoms and tolerance. Active exercises then follow, stabilising the range of motion gained and carrying it over into everyday life.

Reasons for treatment

When manual therapy helps

People come to us who can no longer move a joint fully or who feel pain during certain movements – often after weeks of waiting it out.

Restricted mobility – a joint can no longer be moved through its full range, for example the knee after surgery or the foot after prolonged non-weight-bearing
Neck and head complaints – a stiff cervical spine, difficulty turning the head while driving, pain radiating into the back of the head or shoulder
Jaw complaints – clicking when opening the mouth, tension in the chewing muscle, discomfort after dental treatment or from nighttime teeth clenching
Shoulder problems – the arm can no longer be raised overhead, pain when getting dressed or when lying on the affected side
Blockages in the spine – sudden shooting pain in the lower back or between the shoulder blades, pain when breathing
Complaints after immobilisation – after a cast, splint or brace, the joint has stiffened and needs guided mobilisation

Structure of treatment

Three components of every session

Assessment, mobilisation and stabilisation work together: without the assessment there is no target, and without the exercises the result of mobilisation lasts only until the next day of everyday life.

Assessment

We ask about the history, strain and daily routine, then examine joint by joint: active and passive range of motion, joint play, muscle length, nerve mobility. We record the results so that changes can be compared over the course of treatment.

Location: Initial assessment in the first session
Documentation: Progress notes at each appointment

Mobilisation

Using guided, carefully dosed movements, we move the joint in the restricted direction, release tension in the surrounding tissue and use traction for relief. We continually adjust intensity and direction based on your feedback.

Technique: No equipment, hands only
Dosage: Adjusted based on feedback

Stabilisation

Mobility gained is actively secured: two to four exercises you can do at home without equipment, plus guidance on sitting posture, sleeping position or training. We go through them together at the next appointment.

Scope: 2–4 exercises for home
Follow-up: Continuation with equipment-based therapy possible

Process

How a session works

Every treatment follows the same sequence: first assess, then treat, and finish with exercises. The duration of a session depends on your prescription, as does the number of appointments.

What we find during the session determines the technique used that day — a stiff joint needs to be approached differently than a sensitive scar.

1
Initial assessment

We ask about pain history, occupation and strain, then check mobility, joint play and strength comparing both sides. We record the result so progress can be measured later on.
2
Preparing the tissue

Warm hands, soft-tissue techniques on muscles and fascia, heat if needed. Relaxed tissue can be mobilised more gently than tense tissue, which is why this step comes before joint technique.
3
Mobilising the joint

Targeted mobilisation: we guide the joint with measured traction or gliding in the restricted direction, using small, repeated movements and staying within your pain threshold.
4
Nerves and scars

If tingling or radiating pain is involved, we treat the gliding ability of the nerve pathways; after surgery, we also work on the scar once it is securely closed and resilient.
5
Practising and rechecking

At the end, we retest the treated movement and you take home two to four short exercises — a few minutes a day maintains the result.

From our practice

Common complaints

We see three reasons for treatment particularly often in Kiel. The technique remains the same, but the point of focus differs considerably.

Shoulder after prolonged rest

After a fall, surgery or weeks in a sling, the shoulder first loses the ability to lift sideways and rotate outward. We mobilise the shoulder joint and the gliding of the shoulder blade over the rib cage, release the surrounding muscles and rebuild movement degree by degree.

Physiotherapist mobilising a patient's shoulder with both hands while the patient lies on the treatment table

Neck, headache and desk work

Blocked movement in the upper cervical vertebrae and an overloaded jaw and neck area often show up as a dull headache. We treat the affected segments very carefully, relieve the short neck muscles and review your sitting posture.

Checking the cervical spine segment by segment
Relieving the neck, jaw and thoracic spine
Exercises for the working day, not the mat

Knee and ankle in sport

After a sprain or meniscus treatment, the last degree of flexion or extension is usually missing. We restore joint play, treat scars and capsule, and then move into loading — if needed, continuing on the equipment in our practice.

Good to know

Prescription, cost and preparation

Manual therapy is a treatment in its own right and is listed as such on the prescription — with the number of sessions and treatment goal. We've put together what this means for your appointment, your billing and what to wear.

Which prescription do I need?

The medical prescription must explicitly state Manual Therapy as the remedy; if it only states physiotherapy, we will only treat that. It is issued by your GP, your orthopaedist, or, after surgery, by the clinic. Please bring the original to your first appointment — we'll check completeness and deadlines together with you.

Statutory or private patient

For statutorily insured patients, we bill your health insurance fund directly; you remain responsible for the statutory co-payment plus the prescription fee, unless you are exempt. Privately insured and self-paying patients receive an invoice based on our price list, which you submit to your insurer. We will tell you the applicable rate in advance by phone, before your first appointment takes place.

When your prescription expires

We only provide Manual Therapy on medical prescription, either as a statutory or private prescription. If you need further sessions after your prescription has expired, ask your practice about a follow-up prescription. If your symptoms are new, hurt at night, or radiate into your arm or leg, this should be assessed by a doctor first in any case.

What to bring to your appointment

Comfortable clothing that allows access to the shoulder, back or knee, as well as any existing reports — X-ray or MRI report, surgical report, discharge letter. It's also helpful to have a brief note on when the pain is strongest and which movement triggers it.

Appointments, times and home visits

We treat Monday to Friday from 7:30 am to 7:00 pm, by appointment. Home visits take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays — useful if you are not yet mobile after surgery. Please cancel an appointment early so that someone else can use the slot.

When Manual Therapy isn't suitable

In cases of recent fractures, acute inflammation, untreated osteoporosis, or unclear symptoms, we hold back and consult with your doctor. In such cases, we initially continue with lymphatic drainage, physiotherapy, or very gentle soft tissue techniques.

Ready for hands-on treatment?

We'll assess your symptoms and discuss the right treatment with you.

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