Teuvo Keisala, the man behind the idea that evolved into Manuthera, worked as a naprapath for 35 years. Already as a student at Naprapat Högskola (The Scandinavian College of Naprapathic Manual Medicine) in Stockholm, he tried to find ways to make certain manual therapy treatments more efficient and less painful for the patient. He realized that combining manipulation and mobilisation was almost impossible if there didn’t exist a treatment table with enough versatile features. As a resourceful man who loves tackling problems with new ideas and has good knowledge of mechanics, Keisala set to work.
– I graduated in 1981 and worked with what was then regarded as the best treatment table for 2 years. In 1983 I considered I had gathered enough experience to be able to build the first prototype of my own out of wood. I used it to treat patients with difficult medical issues and was able to define the ideal movements that were required for a successful therapy. In 1988 I built the first prototype with a metal frame – I owned a small metal workshop back then – and called the table Manuthera, short for manual therapy.
From prototype to production
From very early on, Keisala wanted the adjustments and settings of the table to work very smoothly. This created challenges in product development, especially when Keisala had to keep in mind also the costs of industrial production.
When time was ripe to actually move on to manufacturing Manuthera, Keisala joined forces with Lojer.
– I looked at different treatment tables that were available and noticed the high quality of Lojer products. I contacted them to inquire about their possible interest. The CEO at the time, Seppo Suuriniemi quickly recognized the potential of Manuthera, and our cooperation began.
Pasi Koski-Vähälä was instrumental in bringing Manuthera from prototype to production. Koski-Vähälä still works at Lojer, nowadays as R&D Engineer.
– I think about the people who find relief with the help of Manuthera almost daily. I’m grateful and happy to have been able to play a role in that.
Read also the other articles by Teuvo Keisala, the inventor of Manuthera Treatment Tables »
