Why "Manual Therapy" Holds OMPT Back (Fellowship Director Responds)

In this episode, I sit down with Mark Shepherd, fellowship program director, to tackle a controversial question: Is the "manual therapy" label holding back our profession? We explore whether orthopedic manual physical therapy should rebrand itself as the research evolves and public perception shifts.

What we cover:

• Why fellowship training is about reasoning, not just technique
• The disconnect between what OMPT actually is vs. how it's perceived
• How branding affects patient expectations and clinician identity
• Whether the manual therapy name limits our ability to attract new fellows
• The role of touch in modern pain care—and why it shouldn't define us

This is a nuanced conversation between two fellows who deeply respect the training but question whether our messaging matches our methods in 2025.

🎧Modern Pain Care Resources:

• Join the Modern Pain Pro community
• Learn about Pain Practice OS

#PhysicalTherapy #ManualTherapy #OMPT #PainCare #Fellowship #PainScience #Physio