Historical records indicate that manipulative (skillful work done by hand) therapies have existed throughout recorded time. Soft tissue (muscle, ligament and tendon) manipulation was documented in Chinese literature as far back as 2000 years ago. Manipulation of the spinal joints has been traced to historical documents from ancient Greece which are now 2500 years old. Although these are the first written records describing manipulative therapy, it is believed that the actual procedures have roots which go much further back in time.