75303 - Manual Therapy - (IM)

Academic Year 2025/2026

  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: First cycle degree programme (L) in Physiotherapy (cod. 8476)

Learning outcomes

The main objectives of the course are:

- general principles of manual therapy.
- clinical reasoning,
- patient assessment,
- treatment planning
- main manual therapy techniques.

Course contents

Manual therapy programme

 
Introduction to manual therapy:
• definition
• clinical reasoning
• core competence


Pain:
• classification of pain
• nociceptors
• sensitisation and hyperalgesia
• referred pain
• ascending pain trasmission
• cardiovascular responses to pain
• pain modulation
• psychological aspects of pain


Clinical assessment:
• observation
• medical history
• concept of red flags
• inspection
• functional examination
• interpretation of results


Physiopathology of connective tissue:
• histological characteristics
• stages of healing


Treatment techniques:
• principles and characteristics of techniques
• precautions and contraindications
• creation of the cockpit model


Arthrokinematics:
• classification of joints
• difference between osteokinetics and arthrokinematics
• traction techniques
• practical application of arthrokinematics


The spine:
• general anatomy
• the vertebra
• vertebral joints
• assessment and differential diagnosis of neck pain
• treatment of neck pain caused by muscles and joints
• assessment and differential diagnosis of low back pain
• treatment of low back pain caused by muscles and joints
• functional examination of the sacroiliac joint


Practical exercises and clinical cases

Readings/Bibliography

Pirola V, “Il movimento umano”, Edi. Ermes 2012.
Toso B, “Back School, Neck School, Bone School – Programmi, organizzazione, conduzione, verifica”, Edi Ermes 2003.
Toso B, “Back School, Neck School, Bone School – Programmi di lavoro specifici per le patologie del rachide”, Edi Ermes 2003.
Wolf, Foglia, “Terapia manuale – atlante illustrato”, Edi. Ermes 2010.
Muscolino J.E, “Terapia della regione lombo-pelvica”, Edi.Ermes 2016.
Kendal F.P, “I muscoli – Funzioni e test con postura e dolore”, Verduci Editore 2005.
Kesson-Atkins, “Medicina Ortopedica”, Ed. Piccin-2000.
Gross-Fetto-Rosen, “Esame obiettivo dell' apparato muscolo –scheletrico”, Ed Utet, Edizione: II 5/2004, Volume: Unico.
Bienfait M, “Fisiologia della terapia manuale”, Roma 1990.
Boccardi S,-Lissoni A. “Cinesiologia I–II-III”, Società Editrice Vigevano, Roma 1980.
Maitland G.D, “Manipolazione Periferica”, Piccin 1998.
Neumann D.A, “Kinesiology of the Muscoloskeletac System Evolve” Mosby, U.S.A. 2002.
Orlandini G, “La semeiotica del dolore”, Antonio Delfino 2005.
Loeser, Butler, Chapman, Turk, “Bonica’s trattamento del dolore”, Antonio Delfino 2006.

Teaching methods

The learning process will be supported by lectures, practical exercises, clinical cases and problem-solving exercises.

In view of the types of activities and teaching methods adopted, attendance at this training activity requires all students to complete modules 1 and 2 via e-learning and to participate in the classroom (8 hours) in the third module of specific training on health and safety in the study/internship locations.

Assessment methods

The theoretical-practical exam will consist of 2 theoretical questions and 2 practical manoeuvres.

Each theoretical question will be marked on a scale of 0 to 10.

Each practical manoeuvre will be marked on a scale of 0 to 5.

The final mark will be calculated by adding up the score obtained during the exam.

The assessment will be on a scale of 0 to 30.

The use of textbooks or other teaching materials is not permitted.

To take the exam, you must register with Alma Esami.

Students with learning difficulties and temporary or permanent disabilities are invited to contact the teaching office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilità-e-dsa/it/per-studenti) as soon as possible so that appropriate compensatory measures can be agreed upon. The request must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the teacher, who will assess the appropriateness of the measures, taking into account the teaching objectives.

 

Office hours

See the website of Fabio Alessandro Baldarelli

SDGs

Good health and well-being

This teaching activity contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda.