Manual Therapy · Bethesda, MD

Manual Therapy
in Bethesda, MD

Pain that limits your day, stiffness that won't let go, movement that just doesn't feel right. Whether you're recovering from an injury, dealing with chronic back or neck pain, or simply trying to move more freely, Dr. Paul Helms uses hands-on manual therapy to find what's holding you back and help you get past it.

Book An Appointment How it works
One-on-one with Dr. Helms | Sports chiro + physical therapy | Bethesda, MD
Manual therapy shoulder treatment at Helms Performance in Bethesda, MD
One-on-one every visit
Same-day appointments available
Bethesda, MD

Relieve pain

Hands-on joint mobilization and soft tissue techniques release the restrictions that keep you in pain, often providing meaningful relief from the first session.

Restore movement

Once a joint moves freely again, corrective exercises and movement retraining help your body relearn patterns that protect you from re-injury.

Rebuild strength

Lasting recovery means building the stability and resilience to stay out of pain, not just get through the next few weeks without it.

What Is Manual Therapy?

Hands-On Treatment for Pain, Stiffness, and Restricted Movement

Manual therapy is a clinical, hands-on approach used to relieve pain and restore function in joints and soft tissue. Rather than relying on machines or equipment, Dr. Helms uses his hands to assess and treat the specific areas restricting your movement or causing your pain.

Techniques include joint mobilization, which gently moves a stiff joint through its range of motion to restore normal mechanics, and soft tissue work that addresses tight muscles, tendons, and connective tissue. These approaches are grounded in sports medicine and physical therapy principles, not general wellness.

At Helms Performance, manual therapy is rarely used in isolation. Dr. Helms combines it with sports chiropractic and physical therapy to address the root cause of your pain and build a plan that keeps you moving well long after treatment ends.

1
Joint Mobilization Targeted movement applied to restricted joints to restore normal range and reduce pain
2
Soft Tissue Release Hands-on work applied to tight muscles, tendons, fascia, and connective tissue
3
Movement Retraining Corrective exercises that reinforce the changes made during treatment
Manual therapy vs. massage

Both are hands-on, but the goals are different. Massage focuses on relaxation and general muscle tension. Manual therapy is clinical, targeting specific joints and tissues based on a physical assessment. It is used to restore function, not just reduce tightness, and is always integrated into a broader treatment plan.

Who It Helps

Conditions We Treat With Manual Therapy

Manual therapy helps a wide range of patients. Whether you are an active adult dealing with a sports injury or someone who simply wants to get through the day with less back pain, we can help.

Back pain

Lower back tightness, spinal restrictions, and SI joint pain that limits how you sit, stand, and move through your day.

Learn more

Neck pain and stiffness

Limited rotation, chronic tension from desk work, and stiffness that makes it hard to look over your shoulder.

Learn more

Shoulder pain

Rotator cuff tightness, frozen shoulder, and joint restrictions that limit how high you can lift your arm.

Learn more

Hip pain

Hip flexor tightness, joint stiffness, and pain with walking or activity that limits how much you can do each day.

Learn more

Knee pain

Soft tissue restrictions around the knee, pain with bending, and stiffness after periods of sitting or inactivity.

Learn more

Sciatica

Hip and lumbar joint restrictions that compress the sciatic nerve, causing pain, numbness, or tingling down the leg.

Learn more

Sports injuries

Muscle strains, joint sprains, and overuse injuries in athletes and active adults at any level of play.

Post-surgical rehab

Restoring joint mobility and soft tissue flexibility after orthopedic procedures, working alongside your surgical team's plan.

Your First Visit

What to Expect From Your First Appointment

Your first appointment is as much a conversation as it is a treatment. Dr. Helms takes the time to understand where you are and what you are trying to get back to before he puts his hands on anything.

  1. Intake And Movement Assessment

    Dr. Helms reviews your history, pain pattern, and movement limitations. He identifies which joints and tissues are restricted and how they connect to your symptoms.

  2. Hands-on Treatment

    A combination of joint mobilization and soft tissue work targeted to your specific restrictions. Most patients notice a change in how they move before they leave the room.

  3. Corrective Exercises

    Dr. Helms pairs manual work with movement exercises to reinforce the changes made during treatment and help your body hold onto them.

  4. Your Recovery Plan

    You leave with a clear picture of what is causing the problem, what the plan looks like, and realistic expectations for how long recovery takes.

Dr. Paul Helms, sports chiropractor and physical therapist at Helms Performance in Bethesda, MD
Dr. Paul Helms Sports Chiropractor, Bethesda MD
Your Provider

Dr. Paul Helms

Dr. Helms has worked with patients ranging from weekend runners and desk workers to professional athletes in the NFL and NBA. His practice is built to welcome everyone. If pain is limiting your life, you are in the right place.

He combines manual therapy with sports chiropractic and physical therapy to find the root cause of your pain, not just manage its symptoms. Every appointment is one-on-one, and every treatment plan is built around your specific goals and activity level.

  • Doctor of Chiropractic
  • Licensed in dry needling
  • Sports physical therapy training and application
  • Certified in Active Release Technique and Fascial Stretch Therapy
  • Experience with patients ranging from weekend runners to NFL and NBA athletes
  • Located at 7625 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 219, Bethesda, MD 20814
Learn About Dr. Helms
Common Questions

Manual Therapy FAQs

Answers to the questions we hear most often before a first visit.

What exactly is manual therapy?

Manual therapy is a hands-on clinical approach that uses joint mobilization and soft tissue techniques to relieve pain and restore movement. Joint mobilization involves gently moving a stiff or restricted joint through its range of motion to improve mechanics. Soft tissue work addresses tight muscles, tendons, and fascia. At Helms Performance in Bethesda, manual therapy is always combined with sports chiropractic and physical therapy as part of a complete treatment plan.

Is manual therapy the same as massage?

They share some techniques, but the purpose is different. Massage is primarily focused on relaxation and general muscle tension. Manual therapy is clinical and goal-directed. Dr. Helms uses it to address specific joint restrictions and soft tissue dysfunction identified through a physical assessment. It is always part of a broader treatment plan, not a standalone session.

Does manual therapy hurt?

Most patients describe it as a firm but comfortable pressure, sometimes with a sensation of release as a restricted joint or muscle lets go. It should not be sharply painful. Some mild soreness afterward, similar to the feeling after a hard workout, is normal for 24 to 48 hours. If something is uncomfortable during treatment, let Dr. Helms know, he will adjust his approach.

How many sessions will I need?

It depends on the condition and how long you have had it. Acute injuries often respond in 2 to 4 sessions. Chronic restrictions may take longer. After your first appointment, Dr. Helms will give you a clear picture of what to expect, including realistic timelines, not an open-ended course of care.

Can manual therapy help with back pain and sciatica?

Yes. Back pain and sciatica are among the most common reasons patients come to Helms Performance for manual therapy. Joint restrictions in the lumbar spine and hip often contribute directly to both conditions. Mobilizing those restrictions and releasing the surrounding soft tissue can significantly reduce pain and improve how freely you move. Dr. Helms will assess your specific pattern to determine whether manual therapy is the right approach for your situation.

Does manual therapy work alongside other treatments?

It is designed to. At Helms Performance, manual therapy is integrated with sports chiropractic, physical therapy, dry needling, and Active Release Technique depending on what your body needs. This combination, all under one roof with one provider, is a genuine differentiator. Dr. Helms builds a plan that uses the right tools at the right time rather than treating one thing in isolation.

Ready to Move Better and Feel Better?

Whether it is back pain slowing you down, a stiff shoulder limiting your reach, or an old injury that never fully healed, we will help you get back to the activities you love. Book a visit with Dr. Helms in Bethesda.

Book An Appointment

Or call 301-578-5197 to speak with our team