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Joint mobilization involves improving mobility in areas that currently have less than normal movement. Tight muscles, stiff ligaments, or problems in the joints themselves may cause the decreased movement. If pain is associated with this decreased movement, loosening up the structure that causes the restriction can often relieve the pain. In order to prevent the pain from returning a short time after the mobilization, other treatments need to be performed such as certain stretching and strengthening exercises. These exercise programs teach the patient how to prevent the pain from re-occurring so that they do not have to frequently return to the therapist.
Mobilization involves moving the joints in a way that you cannot move it yourself. It involves small movements of the actual bone surfaces on each other. There are many different movements of mobilization, some that help to decrease pain and others that help to increase the movement range of the joint.
Physical therapists perform a full assessment of the blood and nerve supply in the area, as well as a bone and muscle assessment. This is important in order to decide whether or not there is an increased risk of complications with joint mobilization. |
