Columbia's Top Physical Therapists for Manual Therapy
Tight joints and restricted tissue won't loosen up on their own. Salerno Sports Therapy offers manual therapy in Columbia for athletes and active adults who want to move freely, reduce pain, and keep training without restriction.
The Tightness That Won't Release on Its Own
Mobility Work Isn't Enough
You stretch before every session and foam roll after. The joint loosens a little, then locks right back up as soon as training picks up again.
Taking Time Off Isn't the Answer
You take a week off and the restriction eases a bit. But as soon as you get back to lifting, running, or playing, the tightness and pain come right back.
You're Handed a Stretching Sheet
Your doctor says stretch more and wait it out. You follow the instructions. The stiffness is still there, and your training keeps taking the hit.
Manual Therapy That Goes Beyond Relief
We pair joint mobilization and soft tissue work with targeted strengthening to address what is actually causing the restriction. Every session is one-on-one, built around your sport and what your body needs to move and perform at its best.
From Pain to Performance in Three Steps
Talk with us
Schedule a free discovery call so we can learn about your goals, training, and what's been holding you back.
Get your assessment
Complete a full movement and strength assessment with sport-specific testing like running gait analysis or a Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) golf screen.
Follow your plan
Work through one-on-one, exercise-first sessions that build strength, restore confidence, and get you back to your sport.
What Columbia Athletes Are Saying
Hear from Columbia athletes who used manual therapy to get their movement and performance back.
For people of all ages and skill levels, preparation and recovery are key! Dr. Salerno has provided me with all the pre and post round exercises/stretches I need to keep myself in "playing" shape. I highly recommend giving SST a call!
Jay and the team at Salerno Sports Therapy have always provided me great service. Whether it's a small nagging injury or a bigger problem, Jay has the knowledge to not only get me feeling better but make sure it doesn't happen again and I can keep doing the things I love to do
Jay is awesome! He has been instrumental in solving my knee pain and issues while marathon training. He is incredibly knowledgeable and gave me a full strategy to fix my current problems and work to prevent them in the future!
SST was key to my training and prep for my first half marathon. Jay helped me stay injury free as I ramped up the intensity of my runs, and he was willing to help me remotely when I couldn't make in person sessions.
Very professional and highly recommend! I went to see Jay after a week off running due to injury. I had the Chicago marathon approaching in about 2 weeks and really wanted to be healthy and run. Jay worked hard and diligently to get me ready for the marathon — in a short time— and I was able to run the marathon, snag a PR & BQ. Jay continued to work with me post marathon to make sure I had the tools to keep my hips healthy and stronger. I’m happy with my decision to choose Salerno Sports Therapy for my PT needs!
Jay has done an outstanding job working with me. I came to him with bilateral elbow pain and have left with no more pain! He is extremely thorough with his initial evaluation in order to prescribe you with the best possible care. I would highly recommend Salerno Sports Therapy to anyone with any nagging aches and pains OR if you want to prevent those nagging aches and pains from happening. Give Jay a call!
Serving Columbia and more
We're located in Columbia and serve active adults and athletes across Forest Acres, Shandon, Heathwood, Melrose Heights, and the greater Columbia area. If you're looking for performance-focused physical therapy near you, we're here to help.
FAQs
Questions about manual therapy at Salerno Sports Therapy.
Manual therapy creates pressure and some discomfort, especially in areas with significant restriction, but it should not feel sharp or intolerable. Most people notice a meaningful release during and after the session. We check in throughout and adjust the approach based on your response.
Massage primarily addresses muscle tension and relaxation. Manual therapy, including joint mobilization, manipulation, and soft tissue techniques, is a clinical intervention that targets specific movement restrictions, joint mechanics, and tissue dysfunction based on a movement assessment.
It depends on how long the restriction has been there and what else is contributing to it. Some people notice meaningful change in two to three sessions. Most cases benefit from a longer plan that pairs manual therapy with targeted strengthening to address the root cause and make the results stick.
Yes, and that is usually how we work. We combine manual therapy with dry needling, therapeutic exercise, and targeted loading in a single session. Addressing restriction while building the strength that supports it gives you faster and more durable results.
We are out-of-network by choice so we can work without insurance-driven restrictions on session length or what we include. We provide superbills you can submit for possible reimbursement through your out-of-network benefits, but we do not bill directly.
Still have questions?
Reach out and we'll walk you through how it works.
Ready to Move Without Restriction?
Schedule a free discovery call and let's get you moving freely again.
