JOINT MOBILIZATION

Improve the Health and Mobility of Your Joints with Joint Mobilization!

Joint mobilization entails the passive movement of specific joints using a trained application of force, direction, and technique. Your physical therapist may use this technique with their hands or devices such as braces to help deliver the desired treatment effect.

Your Joint Function, Explained

Your body contains hundreds of joints, many of which are of varying shapes and sizes (such as a “hinge joint” in your elbow, a “ball and socket joint” in your hip, or a “saddle joint” in your thumb). To help you work effectively and comfortably, your joints rely on a combination of stability and mobility.

The specific type, magnitude, speed, and frequency of joint mobilization performed are determined by a number of factors, including the treatment goal, the type of joint being targeted, and even your unique anatomy.

The advantages of joint mobilization include reduced pain, increased range of motion, and improved joint movement quality (known as arthrokinematics).

How Is Joint Mobilization Performed?

You should expect a thorough evaluation of your range of motion, coordination, discomfort, posture, and even potential tissue stress during your initial appointment at Pro-X Physical Therapy. We will be able to create a customized care plan to meet your unique needs based on the findings of our review and the information we gather from you about your current and previous medical history.

We will also provide you with additional resources, such as therapeutic exercises for stability and range of motion, to supplement and strengthen the effects of joint mobilization. Other modalities or postural neuromuscular retraining may be incorporated into the treatment plan if your physical therapist deems it appropriate.

During your treatment sessions, we recommend dressing in loose, comfortable clothing for a physical therapy session involving joint mobilization.

Common Conditions Treated with Joint Mobilization

An irritated, swollen, or misaligned joint may occur as a result of an injury, stress, poor posture, repeated movement, or even age-related wear and tear. When this happens, the joint can become rigid and painful because it does not move correctly.

Specific conditions that our physical therapy team successfully manage with joint mobilizations include:

• Whiplash

• Ankle sprains

• Medial or lateral epicondylitis (golfer’s or tennis elbow, respectively)

• Facet joint locking and other types of spinal misalignments

• Rotator cuff tears and sprains

• Sciatica and other types of nerve impingement syndromes

• Arthritis (especially of the shoulder, spine, elbow, hip, and knee)

• Adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder)

Since joint problems are often the secret underlying causes of other types of injuries and ailments including muscle strains, ligament damage, and bursitis, we strongly advise you to see a physical therapist if you are experiencing acute or chronic dysfunction.

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