Joint Mobilization Treatment in Lee’s Summit, MO

Joint mobilization is a type of manual therapy that aims to increase movement in your joints, thereby reducing pain, discomfort, and stiffness. Manual therapy is another way of saying it is a hands-on treatment. To perform joint mobilization, a physical therapist will stabilize one segment of the joint they are treating with one hand and apply pressure to a nearby joint segment with the other hand. This pressure creates space within the joint and allows improved joint lubrication for better movement.

Some conditions that physical therapists often recommend joint mobilization for include:

• Osteoarthritis
• Lower back pain
• Cervical or neck pain
• Tendonitis or tendonosis
• Immobilization post fractures
• Adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder)
• Spinal facet joint locking
• Joint hypomobility

There are two different ways to categorize the types of joint mobilization. The first involves these three categories:

• Oscillatory joint mobilizations: With this type of joint mobilization, the physical therapist applies gentle pressure to the joint at a low speed or velocity. The range of movement in the joint mobilization, known as the amplitude, varies depending on the patient’s condition and needs. With oscillatory joint mobilization, the physical therapist applies pressure at various points to guide the joint through its full range of motion. 
• Sustained joint mobilizations: Whereas oscillatory joint mobilizations apply pressure at specific points within the joint’s range of motion, sustained joint mobilization involves steady movement through a pulling or traction technique. Sustained joint mobilizations reduce joint compression and stretch soft tissues.
• Manipulation: Joint manipulation involves high-speed thrusts at low amplitude toward tightness or restricted joint mobility.

The other way to categorize the types of joint mobilization involves a grade scale, which is as follows:

• Grade 1: Slow back-and-forth movements with a small amplitude applied at the beginning of the joint’s range of motion.
• Grade 2: Slow back-and-forth movements with a large amplitude applied in the middle of the joint’s range of motion.
• Grade 3: Slow back-and-forth movements with a large amplitude applied between the joint’s range of motion and the middle and end of the joint.
• Grade 4: Slow back-and-forth movements with a small amplitude applied toward the end of the joint’s range of motion.
• Grade 5: Single, sharp thrusting motion with a small amplitude applied at the end of the joint’s range of motion with high velocity.

While joint mobilization is not always the proper treatment for your injury or condition, this therapy can provide great benefits when appropriate. Some of these benefits include:

• Increased range of motion in the affected joint
• Improved joint mechanics, helping you with everyday movements like bending your spine, lifting your arm, or walking
• Reducing pain and improving function in a stiff or impaired joint
• Increased joint lubrication for smoother joint movement

There are several good reasons to see a specialist in joint mobilization. One of the most common reasons for visiting a joint mobilization specialist is if you’re dealing with stiff, painful joints with a limited range of motion. A joint mobilization specialist can examine your joint range of motion, flexibility, and strength to determine what type of joint mobilization would work best for you. You may still wonder if joint mobilization is proper for you or, perhaps, you’re curious about more information about joint mobilization. If so, we welcome you to call us at Prime Physical Therapy! We can provide more information about joint mobilization and let you know if you’re a good candidate. We also welcome you to contact us for an appointment or schedule one through our website. We serve patients from Lee’s Summit MO, Greenwood MO, Blue spring MO, Lake Lotawana MO, Raytown MO, and surrounding areas!