Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUsesHow It WorksBenefitsRisksFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Uses
How It Works
Benefits
Risks
Frequently Asked Questions
This manual technique involves applying targeted forces on a painful, stiff, or otherwise compromised joint in order to improve its overall function. While not appropriate in all situations, joint mobilizations may help improve your range of motion, reduce your pain, and minimize your stiffness.
This article will detail how this treatment works, what it is used for, and the risks associated with it.
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When performing a joint mobilization on a body region, the practitioner typically stabilizes one segment of a joint while applying a force to the adjoining body region. This force is usually applied in the direction of the tightness and can be more gentle and oscillating or more forceful and sudden, depending on the type of technique being performed.
Theoretically, joint mobilizations could be used to address stiffness or pain in almost any of the body’s joints. That said, there are a number of body regions that have been shown to respond more favorably to this type of treatment. Among the most common diagnoses that benefit from joint mobilizations are:
While joint mobilizations have been shown to improve pain and overall function when appropriately performed, their exact mechanism of action is not completely understood.
This “desensitizing” of the joint tissue may also help the surrounding muscles function more normally and better support the joint itself. It can help certain joints move better, which puts less strain on muscles and decreases pain.
Joint Mobilization ExercisesAfter undergoing joint mobilizations in the clinic, your practitioner will have you perform exercises that help continue your progress at home. These techniques typically involve gentle movements or stretches in the restricted direction and may be completed multiple times each day.
Joint Mobilization Exercises
After undergoing joint mobilizations in the clinic, your practitioner will have you perform exercises that help continue your progress at home. These techniques typically involve gentle movements or stretches in the restricted direction and may be completed multiple times each day.
This treatment has been found to have a positive impact on the pain levels associated with many of the musculoskeletal conditions described above. Mobilizations have also been associated with temporary increases in joint range of motion and improvedoverall balance reactions.
It is worth noting, however, that these benefits are usually relatively short-lived. Because of this, your physical therapist or chiropractor will typically use joint mobilizations in tandem with other treatments, like strengthening or stretching, in order to optimize your overall outcome.
CautionIndividuals with the below issues should not undergo joint mobilization without consulting their healthcare provider:Acute fractures (broken bones)Herniated disks (problem with the cushions between bones in the spine)Decreased bone density (volume of bones)Sensory issuesHypermobility disorders (extremely flexible joints that cause pain)Taking blood thinners
Caution
Individuals with the below issues should not undergo joint mobilization without consulting their healthcare provider:Acute fractures (broken bones)Herniated disks (problem with the cushions between bones in the spine)Decreased bone density (volume of bones)Sensory issuesHypermobility disorders (extremely flexible joints that cause pain)Taking blood thinners
Individuals with the below issues should not undergo joint mobilization without consulting their healthcare provider:
Joint mobilizations are generally considered to be safe for most individuals. This technique does involve the application of force or pressure (sometimes with a high velocity) to an area of the body, however. Because of this, there are some risks involved.
People with the following conditions should exercise caution before undergoing this treatment:
Summary
A Word From Verywell
Living with a stiff, painful joint can make everyday activities seem insurmountable and can significantly limit your ability to function. Fortunately, joint mobilizations may be able to help.
When incorporated into a therapy regimen that includes other valuable treatments like strengthening or stretching, this technique can help you get back to the things you love.
If you are dealing with any of the conditions listed above or just have questions about joint mobilizations, be sure to consult with your medical provider.
Frequently Asked QuestionsJoint mobilizations are graded based on the speed at which they are performed and the movement associated with them:Grade 1mobilizations are small, slow oscillations at the beginning of a joint’s range of motion.Grade 2are large-amplitude, slow forces within the joint’s entire available range.Grade 3movements are large in amplitude, slow, and focused on the middle to end range of a joint’s movement.Grade 4mobilizations are slow, small amplitude movements at the end of a joint’s range.Grade 5mobilizations involve a single high-velocity, small-amplitude thrust at the end of the range.The pain relief and range of motion improvements from a joint mobilization are often seen immediately after the technique is performed.Most people with stiff or painful joints may benefit from joint mobilization. That said, individuals with sensation issues, hypermobility disorders, fractures or impaired bone density, or similar conditions should use caution. It is always a good idea to speak to your healthcare provider if you have questions or concerns about undergoing this treatment.
Joint mobilizations are graded based on the speed at which they are performed and the movement associated with them:Grade 1mobilizations are small, slow oscillations at the beginning of a joint’s range of motion.Grade 2are large-amplitude, slow forces within the joint’s entire available range.Grade 3movements are large in amplitude, slow, and focused on the middle to end range of a joint’s movement.Grade 4mobilizations are slow, small amplitude movements at the end of a joint’s range.Grade 5mobilizations involve a single high-velocity, small-amplitude thrust at the end of the range.
Joint mobilizations are graded based on the speed at which they are performed and the movement associated with them:
The pain relief and range of motion improvements from a joint mobilization are often seen immediately after the technique is performed.
Most people with stiff or painful joints may benefit from joint mobilization. That said, individuals with sensation issues, hypermobility disorders, fractures or impaired bone density, or similar conditions should use caution. It is always a good idea to speak to your healthcare provider if you have questions or concerns about undergoing this treatment.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.Manual treatments.Heiser R, O’Brien V, Schwartz D.The use of joint mobilization to improve clinical outcomes in hand therapy: A systematic review of the literature.Journal of Hand Therapy.2013;26(4):297-311. doi:10.1016/j.jht.2013.07.004Weerasekara I, Osmotherly P, Snodgrass S,Marquez J, de Zoete R, Rivett DA.Clinical benefits of joint mobilization on ankle sprains: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Archives of Physical Medicine rehabilitation. 2018;99(7):1395-1412.e5. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2017.07.019Courtney CA, Steffen AD,Fernández-de-las-Pñas C, Kim J, Chmell SJ.Joint mobilization enhances mechanisms of conditioned pain modulation in individuals with osteoarthritis of the knee.J Orthop SportsPhys Ther. 2016;46(3):168-176. doi:10.2519/jospt.2016.6259Lascurain-Aguirrebeña I, Newham D, Critchley DJ.Mechanism of action of spinal mobilizations: a systematic review.SPINE. 2016;41(2):159-172. doi:10.1097/BRS.0000000000001151
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.Manual treatments.Heiser R, O’Brien V, Schwartz D.The use of joint mobilization to improve clinical outcomes in hand therapy: A systematic review of the literature.Journal of Hand Therapy.2013;26(4):297-311. doi:10.1016/j.jht.2013.07.004Weerasekara I, Osmotherly P, Snodgrass S,Marquez J, de Zoete R, Rivett DA.Clinical benefits of joint mobilization on ankle sprains: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Archives of Physical Medicine rehabilitation. 2018;99(7):1395-1412.e5. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2017.07.019Courtney CA, Steffen AD,Fernández-de-las-Pñas C, Kim J, Chmell SJ.Joint mobilization enhances mechanisms of conditioned pain modulation in individuals with osteoarthritis of the knee.J Orthop SportsPhys Ther. 2016;46(3):168-176. doi:10.2519/jospt.2016.6259Lascurain-Aguirrebeña I, Newham D, Critchley DJ.Mechanism of action of spinal mobilizations: a systematic review.SPINE. 2016;41(2):159-172. doi:10.1097/BRS.0000000000001151
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.Manual treatments.Heiser R, O’Brien V, Schwartz D.The use of joint mobilization to improve clinical outcomes in hand therapy: A systematic review of the literature.Journal of Hand Therapy.2013;26(4):297-311. doi:10.1016/j.jht.2013.07.004Weerasekara I, Osmotherly P, Snodgrass S,Marquez J, de Zoete R, Rivett DA.Clinical benefits of joint mobilization on ankle sprains: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Archives of Physical Medicine rehabilitation. 2018;99(7):1395-1412.e5. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2017.07.019Courtney CA, Steffen AD,Fernández-de-las-Pñas C, Kim J, Chmell SJ.Joint mobilization enhances mechanisms of conditioned pain modulation in individuals with osteoarthritis of the knee.J Orthop SportsPhys Ther. 2016;46(3):168-176. doi:10.2519/jospt.2016.6259Lascurain-Aguirrebeña I, Newham D, Critchley DJ.Mechanism of action of spinal mobilizations: a systematic review.SPINE. 2016;41(2):159-172. doi:10.1097/BRS.0000000000001151
American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.Manual treatments.
Heiser R, O’Brien V, Schwartz D.The use of joint mobilization to improve clinical outcomes in hand therapy: A systematic review of the literature.Journal of Hand Therapy.2013;26(4):297-311. doi:10.1016/j.jht.2013.07.004
Weerasekara I, Osmotherly P, Snodgrass S,Marquez J, de Zoete R, Rivett DA.Clinical benefits of joint mobilization on ankle sprains: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Archives of Physical Medicine rehabilitation. 2018;99(7):1395-1412.e5. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2017.07.019
Courtney CA, Steffen AD,Fernández-de-las-Pñas C, Kim J, Chmell SJ.Joint mobilization enhances mechanisms of conditioned pain modulation in individuals with osteoarthritis of the knee.J Orthop SportsPhys Ther. 2016;46(3):168-176. doi:10.2519/jospt.2016.6259
Lascurain-Aguirrebeña I, Newham D, Critchley DJ.Mechanism of action of spinal mobilizations: a systematic review.SPINE. 2016;41(2):159-172. doi:10.1097/BRS.0000000000001151
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