Services / Hands-on therapy
Hands-on therapy (FMT & IASTM)
When a joint or the soft tissue around it isn’t moving the way it should, everything nearby has to work harder — and that extra load is often where the ache comes from.
Hands-on therapy is a set of manual techniques we use to improve how your foot and lower limb move. The two we use most are foot mobilisation (FMT) and instrument-assisted soft-tissue mobilisation (IASTM). They’re rarely the whole answer on their own — they work best as part of a broader plan.
What’s involved
Foot mobilisation is gentle, repeated movement applied to the small joints of the foot and ankle to help restore range where it has become restricted. IASTM uses a smooth, hand-held instrument along muscle and fascia to work on tight or overloaded soft tissue. Both are usually paired with a few targeted exercises, so the movement you gain in the room is something your body can hold onto.
It’s worth booking in if a part of your foot or ankle feels stiff or restricted, the same tightness keeps returning, or you’re already working on a problem and want to give the movement side of it more attention.
How we can help
- Assess how your foot and lower limb are actually moving before we treat anything
- Foot mobilisation (FMT) to improve joint movement where it’s restricted
- Instrument-assisted soft-tissue work (IASTM) for tight or overloaded tissue
- A few simple exercises to help the improvements last, not fade by next week
- A clear explanation of what each technique feels like before we start
Funding: Private Health, SIRA, Medicare CDM/EPC and DVA are all accommodated. As a Bupa Members First and HCF More for Feet provider, eligible members may see a higher rebate, claimed same-visit.
Reviewed by Burwood Podiatry. This page is general information, not a diagnosis — book an assessment for advice about your own feet.