• About Us
• Why SSPT?
• Our Approach
  • Physical Therapy
  • ART
  • Custom Orthotics
  • Dynamic Pilates
  • Intramuscular Manual Therapy
  • Manipulation
  • Manual Therapy
  • Massage Therapy
  • Mobilization
  • Therapeutic Exercise
  • Therapeutic Taping
  • Ultrasound Imaging
  • Video Analysis
• Meet Our Staff
  • Caroline Buths
  • Laura Casperson
  • Elissa DiCarlo
  • Robert Gillanders
  • Christine Gorby
  • Brian Neville
  • Kerry Susser
  • Sarah Thorpe
• Community Outreach
• Health Articles
• Case Studies

Mobilization

Mobilization manual therapy techniques may be used by our physical therapists if a joint is hypo-mobile—that is, the joint has restricted mobility that prevents normal joint function. (If a joint is hyper-mobile—that is, there is too much motion—the joint will need to be stabilized or braced.)

Mobilization techniques involve small oscillating movements of a joint. For example, mobilization techniques are often used on the spinal joints and involve the physical therapist using his or her thumbs to push up and down gently or firmly around the spine. Your physical therapist may use one of two mobilization techniques:

• Traction or unloading, to separate adjacent bones in a joint
• Gliding, to unload the joint surfaces but not separate the joint 

Physical therapists use these mobilization techniques to:

• Reduce pain in soft tissues and joint structures.
• Increase range of motion.
• Reduce or eliminate soft tissue inflammation.
• Induce relaxation.
• Stimulate and improve tissue repair, extensibility, and stability.
• Facilitate movement.

Mobilization is particularly effective when combined with other treatment techniques, such as therapeutic exercises and ergonomics training, that address the cause of the dysfunction and provide long-term relief.