Manual therapy influences far more than muscles and joints. Emerging research shows it affects the spinal cord, brainstem, autonomic nervous system, and immune pathways involved in pain. From pain gating to descending inhibition, from C-tactile touch to autonomic regulation, this blog breaks down the neurophysiological mechanisms behind hands-on treatment—and explains why manual therapy remains such a powerful tool for calming a sensitised nervous system.

Pain isn’t always about damage. Modern neuroscience shows that pain is an alarm system shaped not only by what happens in your tissues but also by your brain’s perception of safety or threat. Stress, sleep, previous injuries, and even immune health can lower your pain threshold — making normal movement feel painful. At The Flow Clinic, we combine hands-on care, movement, and pain science education to help calm the nervous system, support healing, and restore confidence.