What is joint mobilization?
Joint mobilization is a manual therapy technique[1] where a physical therapist applies pressure with their hands to direct the motion of your joint. They do this by using one hand to stabilize the joint and the other to gently or more forcefully push, twist or pull it in a way that it isn’t moving properly on its own.
Mobilization treatment mimics the natural gliding of the bones during normal movements. It’s a way of stretching and stimulating the soft tissue surrounding the joints that are harder to target in other exercises. By desensitizing the soft tissue and nerves, the surrounding muscles are allowed to function normally and better support the joint.
Why do I need joint mobilization treatments?
Joint mobilization is primarily used to aid in rehabilitation after an injury. Healthy joints are joints in motion. Mobilization treatments slowly rebuild natural movements to restore mobility and relieve lingering pain.
Any joint suffering from stiffness or a limited range of motion can benefit from joint mobilization, including the hands, wrists, shoulders, knees, back, foot, ankle and neck. You could have a strain, sprain, broken bone, inflammation or other injury in any of these areas. Mobilization techniques also treat diseases that affect the joints like arthritis, spinal misalignments and sciatica.
While mobilization treats many injuries and conditions, it’s not recommended for every ailment. Some joint conditions actually prevent the use of mobilization treatments:
- Severe infection or inflammation
- Fractures
- Tumors
- Excessive flexibility
- Compressed nerves
- Fusions
- Herniated disks
What is a joint mobilization treatment like?
Your joint mobilization treatment starts with an assessment. Your PT must be able to feel the exact joint they are mobilizing. Physical therapists are trained to feel the alignment and movement of your joints and soft tissue, so they can tell when something is misaligned or what specifically is hindering your movements. From there, they’ll perform one or more of the different types of joint mobilization:
- Oscillatory joint mobilization is slow and gentle. It works your joint passively with less pressure and more movement.
- Sustained joint mobilization is like a long, deep stretch. Your PT will push or pull your joint, then hold it for a brief period of time.
- Joint manipulation is more forceful. More pressure is placed on your joint. Then, it’s moved rapidly and forcefully into the preferred motion. This method is primarily used on severely tight joints.
Each of the different mobilization techniques can also be performed with varying levels of intensity, from soft to forceful. At the lowest levels, gentle mobilization and manipulation helps alleviate pain and stiffness. They’re mainly used at the beginning of the mobilization, easing the joint into its movement pattern. At the upper levels, the techniques restore mobility. The higher intensity is more often applied in the middle and at the end of the movement, forcing the joint through its limitations.
Joint mobilization can be uncomfortable because your body is being forced to move in ways that have been restricted. It may feel like a strong pull of your joint or muscle, or have the slight internal burn of a deep stretch. It shouldn’t be painful. Over time, as your joint begins to relearn its movement patterns, it will feel more and more normal.
What are the benefits of mobilization treatments?
Joint mobilization is a natural way to relieve pain and restore range of motion — without the need for medication or surgery. It can also help improve your overall balance and stability if the mobilized joint is in your core or lower body.
Some of the benefits of joint mobilization are only temporary. Alone, they can’t fully restore normal function. So your physical therapist will develop a comprehensive treatment plan of therapeutic exercises, strengthening and other ways to relieve your pain and improve your mobility.