There are more than 300 joints throughout your body, which is where bones connect to allow for movement. When a joint has reduced mobility, it can interfere with your quality of life by preventing you from carrying out your daily activities, such as extending your arm to reach up to a top shelf or bending your knees to climb stairs in your home. But with the help of targeted physical therapy techniques like joint mobilization, your joints can properly function without restriction
At REPAIR SI, we can help increase your joint’s range of motion that may be affected due to an injury or medical condition. Joint mobilization is a common physical therapy technique that can increase your joint’s ability to move freely.
What Is Joint Mobilization?
Joint mobilization is a common type of manual therapy that’s used to alleviate pain and increase range of motion to restore the joint’s normal function. Manual therapy refers to techniques that involve the physical therapist using their hands to manipulate joints, muscles and tendons to reduce pain as well as increase mobility and flexibility.
Even though it may feel like the joint is the root of your problems, the pain often stems from the surrounding muscles, tendons and ligaments. During joint mobilization, a physical therapist will move the joint around to find the restriction that’s causing your reduced range of motion. Then they will use their hands to stretch and strengthen the tissue. This will loosen up the tissue to release painful tension and increase your range of motion. This technique can also boost the overall quality of your joint.
What Can Joint Mobilization Treat?
The mobility of your joints can be impacted from many causes. Joint mobilization can be used to treat stiffness and pain that stems from a variety of injuries and medical conditions, including:
- Back and neck pain.
- Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis).
- Rotator cuff sprains and tears.
- Golfer’s or tennis elbow.
- Wrist and ankle sprains.
- Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
- Sciatica.
- Whiplash.
While joint mobilization is a safe technique, it’s important to note that it’s not for everyone. There are several conditions or injuries that could worsen or cause pain from the movements, including:
- Herniated disc.
- Joint inflammation.
- Osteoporosis.
- Hypermobility (excessive joint mobility).
REPAIR SI Can Use Joint Mobilization to Help Treat Pain and Stiffness
It can be frustrating when joint pain and stiffness prevents you from carrying out your daily activities. The good news is that joint mobilization is an effective physical therapy technique that can help you regain your range of motion after it’s been impaired by an injury or medical condition.
At REPAIR SI, joint mobilization is just one of the several manual therapy techniques that our physical therapists are experienced in. To experience all that we have to offer for your pain management, give us a call.
When you’re ready to regain function of your joints, then be sure to contact our team today for more information or schedule an initial appointment.