Joint Mobilisation And Manipulation
Joint Mobilisation and Manipulation in Sports Therapy
Joint mobilisation is a slow and gentle technique that helps with flexibility, and can also reduce joint pain. However, joint manipulation is an accurate and quick movement of the joint to increase flexibility and reduce pain, and is often accompanied by a pop or click sound.
Joint Pain and Stiffness: Causes, Symptoms, and Solutions
Your joints must move freely in all directions for full pain-free movement. When they become restricted in any way, you can experience stiffness and/or pain. Joint pain and stiffness can affect any joint and may be associated with muscle, ligament, tendon or joint injuries. Treatment to correct your joints will depend on the assessment and diagnosis made by your Therapist.
Joint mobilisation and joint manipulation are often used for symptoms such as:
- Joint pain
- Joint stiffness
- Hypomobility
How is joint mobilization performed?
If your joint has become restricted due to overuse, postural loading or trauma, joint mobilisation can be used by your Therapist to restore optimal function. Joint mobilisation involves gentle oscillating manual pressure being applied to a joint to help restore joint motion.
Joint mobilisation is a technique used on a particular joint to improve range of motion and achieve pain-free movement. Joint mobilisation is a gentle technique and intensity will vary depending on the amount of pain and stiffness present. The movements are applied smoothly in a repetitive process and will be dependant on your specific condition.
Joint mobilisation is effective for conditions where there is pain or tightness that limits motion. This technique is effective for joints all over the body but particularly the wrist, shoulder, neck, back, hips, knees, ankles and feet. Joint mobilisation can also help with relief from lower back pain.
How does joint manipulation provide relief from joint ache?
Sometimes confused with joint mobilisation, joint manipulation is a technique that involves a small amplitude but quick manual technique resulting in a pop or click sound in the joint. Often people believe this sound is the joint clicking back into place; however, it is actually a result of cavitation. Cavitation is simply a change in pressure in the joint often producing relief of tension and ache. When the joints are manipulated there is a sudden decrease in pressure which causes an audible click or popping sound.
Joint manipulation must be performed by a qualified and experienced practitioner. The patient is asked to relax as the movements are performed. Joint manipulation usually brings about immediate relief of joint ache when it is the right treatment for the condition and stage of recovery.
Joint mobilisation and manipulation are safe and effective techniques used to improve joint movement, flexibility and reduce pain. Joint mobilisation is a gentle technique used to improve joint mobility, while joint manipulation is a quick technique often providing immediate relief from joint stiffness. Your experienced practitioner can guide you through the treatment process and prescribe the safest and most effective type of manual therapy for your condition.