What is a fundamental safety principle when performing manual therapy?

• A. Apply maximum force to achieve rapid results.
• B. Skip screening if the patient seems healthy.
• C. Perform therapy without patient feedback.
• D. Screen for contraindications, use proper technique, and monitor patient response to avoid injury.

Answer: (D)

The key safety principle is to protect the patient by screening for contraindications, using proper technique, and carefully monitoring the patient’s response during manual therapy. Screening helps identify conditions that could be worsened by manual techniques, such as acute injuries, fractures, infections, vascular issues, or severe osteoporosis, so therapy is not inappropriately applied. Using proper technique means applying controlled, appropriate forces with correct hand placement and patient positioning, and adjusting based on tissue response and tolerance. Monitoring the patient throughout the session is essential—observing pain levels, dizziness, changes in color, or other adverse signals and stopping or modifying treatment as needed. This approach prioritizes safety and effectiveness, whereas forcing maximum effort, skipping screening, or ignoring patient feedback can lead to injury or harm.