Fixated Joints

Because of stress, age, bad postures, etc. joints can be fixated. Fixated joints can be painful, and they create tension in nearby muscles. Joint mobilization involves improving mobility in these areas that currently have less than normal movement. Joint mobilization helps to release these compressed joints and relax the surrounding muscles.

Joint mobilization consists of small passive movements, usually applied as a series of gentle stretches in a smooth, rhythmic fashion to the individual joints. It involves moving the joints in such a way that a small movement of the actual bone surfaces takes place. Two or more adjacent bones are slowly moved in different directions. Slower movement allows the joint to be taken further, to stretch and massage the connective tissue in and around the joint. This creates a deeper release, and more lasting changes.

Join mobilization improves mobility in areas that have less than normal movement. Tight muscles, stiff ligaments, or problems in the joints themselves may cause the decreased movement.  Loosening up the structure that causes the restriction can often relieve the pain, if there is any. Stretching and strengthening exercises are done to prevent the pain from recurring.

Joints lacking sufficient motion may be mobilized through joint mobilization which also helps in relieving pain and releasing tension from areas such as the head, neck, ankles, feet, pelvis, wrists, ribs, and spine. Joint mobilization has also proven to be effective in treating movement impairment in physically challenged and the elderly. It is effective in the treatment of arthritic joints.

Joint mobilization is a safe procedure when done slowly.  Before the actual procedure, therapists do a full assessment of the blood and nerve supply and bone and muscle in the area to be mobilized. The procedure is safe and effective method of physical therapy.