Manual therapy, or manipulative therapy, is a physical treatment primarily used by physiotherapists, occupational therapists, chiropractors, osteopaths and osteopathic physicians to treat musculoskeletal pain and disability. The three most notable forms of manual therapy are manipulation, mobilization and massage.
It most commonly includes kneading and manipulation of muscles, joint mobilization and joint manipulation. Muscle when injured or strained requires massage/mobilization to alleviate the aching pain it can cause.