JOINT MANIPULATION & MOBILIZATION

JOINT MANIPULATION IS A TERM USED TO DESCRIBE THE FORCES PLACED ON A JOINT TO ACHIEVE MOTION. MOST PEOPLE ASSOCIATE THIS WITH "CRACKING" OR "POPPING" A JOINT. HIGH VELOCITY (FAST) LOW AMPLITUDE (SMALL MOTION) THRUST MANIPULATIONS ARE USED TO DECREASE PRESSURE AND INCREASE MOTION IN A JOINT. THEY ARE OFTEN ACCOMPANIED BY THE FAMILIAR "CRACKING" SOUND, BUT THE SOUND IS NOT REQUIRED FOR SUCCESS. 

YOU CAN ALSO MANIPULATE A JOINT WITH LESS FORCE AND STILL ACHIEVE IMPROVED MOBILITY AND DECREASED PAIN EFFECTS. THESE TYPES OF MANIPULATIONS ARE GREAT FOR POST-SURGICAL STIFFNESS, OR STIFFNESS IN JOINTS THAT ARE TOO PAINFUL TO GET INTO POSITION FOR A THRUST MANIPULATION.

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JOINT MANIPULATIONS ARE A POWERFUL TOOL USED BY PHYSICAL THERAPISTS TO ACHIEVE THE ABOVE STATED EFFECTS. IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE EFFECTS ARE ONLY TEMPORARY. JOINT MANIPULATIONS AND MOBILIZATIONS ARE MOST EFFECTIVE WHEN FOLLOWED BY EXERCISES OR ACTIVITIES TO CAPITALIZE ON THE IMPROVED MOBILITY.
WHILE WE WILL NEVER PERFORM A THRUST MANIPULATION ON YOU WITHOUT YOUR CONSENT, OR WITHOUT PROPERLY EXPLAINING THE PROCEDURE, OCCASIONALLY A SMALL "POP" CAN OCCUR WITH LIGHT JOINT MANIPULATION/MOBILIZATION.

IN THE HANDS OF EXPERIENCED THERAPISTS, JOINT MANIPULATIONS DON'T NEED TO BE SCARY. THEY CAN BE AN EFFECTIVE TOOL IN YOUR RECOVERY. SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TODAY AND SEE IF JOINT MANIPULATION, OR ANY OF OUR OTHER SERVICES, ARE RIGHT FOR YOU.