Joint Mobilization / Manipulation
Our approach to Joint Mobilization and Joint Manipulation at NY Physical Therapy and Stretching.
What is stretch therapy?
After a thorough examination of your pain and injury, your physiotherapist will use his or her hands to determine if a joint in your body requires a manipulation or mobilization. These are commonly called joints that are “locked”, “out” or “stuck”. Joints that may require joint manipulation or mobilization include the spine, shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, ankle, and foot.
What is Joint Mobilization and Joint Manipulation?
Joint manipulation and joint mobilization are manual therapy techniques, in which the physiotherapist uses their hands to evaluate, diagnose, and treat joints.
Joint manipulation involves a quick, but small thrust to a joint to provide immediate pain relief and improved mobility. It is characteristically, but not always, accompanied with an audible “click” or “pop” sound.
Joint mobilization is a slower movement of a joint in a specific direction. Depending on the injury, a physiotherapist may choose to mobilize a stiff joint first. If there is still stiffness remaining in the joint, the physiotherapist may then proceed to a joint manipulation.
What to expect from Joint Mobilization or Joint Manipulation?
Your physiotherapist will first perform a thorough evaluation of your injured area and a detailed history of your condition. Examples of conditions in which joint manipulation cannot be performed include patients with osteoporosis, fractured or weakened bone, neurological deficits, bleeding disorders, excessive joint mobility, and patients in excessive pain.
If your physiotherapist chooses to manipulate a joint, they will inform you of the risks and benefits associated with the manipulation and answer any of your questions.
Your physiotherapist will place you in a comfortable and safe position prior to the manipulation. Gentle pressure will initially be applied to the joint in the direction of the thrust. If comfortable, and with your consent, a small, quick thrust will be applied to the joint.
What are the benefits of Joint Mobilization or Joint Manipulation?
Joint manipulation and joint mobilization are techniques that have been thoroughly researched in clinical studies and have been shown to be effective for many different conditions.
They have been shown to produce the following effects:
- Decreases or relieves pain
- Increases joint movement and mobility
- Decreases tension in surrounding muscles