Joint Mobilization

Benefits/Purpose:  To improve joint mobility, decrease muscle spasms & tension, increase freedom of movement and decrease pain.

Which joints benefit from being mobilized?  Any joint that is lacking sufficient motion may be mobilized.  Joint mobilization on the neck, upper, middle and lower back, and sacroiliac joints, as well as to all of the joints of the extremities such as the shoulder, elbow, carpus, hip, stifle, tarsus and hock.

Definition: Joint mobilization is a manual therapy technique comprising a continuum of skilled passive movements to the joint complex that are applied at varying speeds (gliding of the joint) and amplitudes, that may include a small- amplitude/high velocity therapeutic movement (manipulation Grade V) with the intent to restore optimal motion, function, and/or to reduce pain.  Unlike stretching of a muscle, joint mobilization is specific to the capsule of the joint itself.  Every joint is classified on a five-grade scale for range of motion.  Grades I and II are used predominantly for reduce pain and stiffness.  Grades III through V (manipulation) are used primarily to increase mobility and joint play.  Joint manipulation should not be confused with joint mobilization, a similar manual technique for strengthening joints.  With joint manipulation, a therapist (PT, CCRT, or CCRA) applies a forceful thrust to the joint moment, which stretches the tissue and restores joint play.

When a joint’s mobility is limited, the structure and function of the region change.  Cartilage nutrition starts to decrease within the joint, and other joints begin to move excessively to compensate for the stiff joint.  These adjacent joints begin to deteriorate due to overuse.  Muscles surrounding a stiff joint lose their ability to contract and relax sufficiently and become tight.  With time the whole region is involved in the dysfunction surrounding the stiff joint.  Much of the time you feel a sensation of deep stretch.  Some times when the joint is mobilized you feel a “pop” as the joint capsule is released.  This may cause anxiety; however, this is usually a sign of relief and success.  

What to expect:  Your furry friend is often placed in a position of comfort where they can relax and allow the joint to move freely.  I will use my hands to localize the joint in need of mobilization and apply needed force through my hands in the appropriate direction.  As they progress, I may advance to the use of high-speed mobilizations.

Take away:   Joint mobilization is a hands-on technique that is indicated for dogs with stiff or hypomobile joint to increase joint capsule mobility, decrease pain and restore normal joint mechanics. Joint mobilization techniques help to work the stiffness out of joints that have had surgery like stifles, hips and elbows.  Additionally, geriatric and arthritic dogs love mobilization techniques that decrease pain and help them move more freely.  If joint mobilization is not performed, the hypomobile joint will create a hypermobile segment in a different part of the kinematic chain, creating a much more difficult injury to rehabilitate.  Joint mobilization is performed before stretching the soft tissue structures like muscles and fascia to enhance soft tissue flexibility.  Without performing joint mobilization, the soft tissues are more likely to experience re-injury.