Spinal/Joint Mobilisations and Manipulations
This therapy involves ‘hands on’ treatment provided by a Physiotherapist. Mobilisations and manipulations are graded movements of the spine or other joints to restore mobility, relieve pain and aid postural correction. The treatment may include moving joints in precise directions and may entail the patient to activate certain muscles during the therapy. Sometimes the mobilisations may be more passive and involve controlled and specific stretching. These techniques are mainly used alongside tailored exercises and postural advice that we will teach you to target the problem.
The definitions of the two techniques are -
Manipulation: A passive, high velocity, low amplitude thrust applied to a joint complex within its anatomical limit with the intent to restore optimal motion, function, and/ or to reduce pain.
Mobilisation: A manual therapy technique comprising a continuum of skilled passive movements to the joint complex that are applied at varying speeds and amplitudes, that may include a small-amplitude/ high velocity therapeutic movement (manipulation) with the intent to restore optimal motion, function, and/ or to reduce pain.
Types of mobilisation/manipulation therapy we use –
- Maitland
- Cyriax
- McKenzie
- Mulligan
- Muscle Energy Techniques (MET)
- NAGs and SNAGs
- Seat Belt Techniques.
References –
- NICE update 2016. Exercise not acupuncture for people with low back pain says nice in draft guidance
- Noten S, Meeus M, Stassijns G, Van Glabbeek F, Verborgt O, Struyf F. Efficacy of different types of mobilization techniques in patients with primary adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder : a systematic review. Archives of Phys Med & Rehab. May 2016. Vol 97 (5); 815-825.
- Loudon J, Reiman M, Sylvain J.The efficacy of manual joint mobilisation/ manipulation in treatment of lateral ankle sprains: a systematic review. Downloaded from bjsm.bmj.com on August 27, 2013 - Published by group.bmj.com BJSM Online First, published on August 26, 2013 as 10.1136/bjsports-2013-092763