One treatment technique that I use regularly in the clinic is joint mobilisation. You might be familiar with the high velocity manipulation that chiropractors and osteopaths often use on patients. The style of mobilisations that sports therapists, physios and myotherapists use are much more subtle and are less likely to create that loud "cracking" sound that a chiro or osteo manipulation often does.
There are two main instances when I use joint mobilisation.
Joint mobilisation is used to;
1. Modulate pain.
2. Treat joint dysfunctions that limit a joint's range of motion.
In order to treat soft tissue dysfunction it's essential that any underlying joint structures are moving and functioning at an optimal level. When I mobilise a joint, certain techniques cause neurophysiological effects which inhibit local pain receptors and can reduce muscle guarding and spasm.
There are also some nutritional benefits of getting your joints moving. A restricted joint won't receive the normal exchange of nutrients at the joint surface. Poor nutrition to these areas can lead to the degeneration of joint cartilage. Mobilisations can also improve joint motion by reducing restrictions caused by scar tissue or connective tissue adhesions.
There are certain joint conditions contraindicate joint mobilisation. For instance, some joints move too much so I will need to focus on strengthening the joint or strapping it up to reduce the movement. Other joints can become fused which also stops me from attempting mobilisations. If you are feeling tight and restricted or supper from chronic pain, the best thing to do is give me a call or drop into my Gisborne and Brunswick clinic. Let's get you moving functionally.