Manual therapy in WAD rehab is used to address which impairments?

• A. Soft tissue and joint impairments
• B. Cardiovascular endurance
• C. Pulmonary function
• D. Metabolic rate

Answer: (D)

Manual therapy in whiplash rehab targets the mechanical tissue problems in the neck. By using soft tissue work and graded joint mobilizations, therapists improve tissue length, reduce muscle guarding, and restore joint play, which helps increase range of motion and relieve pain. These are localized impairments of the neck that manual therapy is designed to address. Cardiovascular endurance, pulmonary function, and metabolic rate represent systemic fitness and metabolic status rather than neck tissue mechanics, so they’re addressed through different approaches like aerobic conditioning, breathing technique, and metabolic interventions. So, the focus of manual therapy in this context is addressing soft tissue and joint impairments.