Manipulation & Mobilisation
Physiotherapists can use a controlled amount of force to move the surfaces of a joint in relation to each other.
Mobilisation is the passive movement, oscillation or sustained stretch of a joint within a physiological movement or accessory movement. A manipulation is a sudden movement, of small amplitude at a joint.
The manipulation or mobilisation of a joint lubricates the joint through a ‘synovial sweep’ mechanism and can help to relax muscle spasm. Gentle mobilisations are used for pain relief while more forceful, deeper mobilisations are effective for decreasing joint stiffness and increasing range of movement.
Manipulation and mobilisation are very effective means of treating and assessing a wide variety of conditions especially spinal and peripheral joint pain and stiffness.
