Joint & Spinal Mobilization

Demonstration of Spinal and Peripheral Joint Mobilizations & Manipulation

What is joint manipulation?

Joint manipulation, also known as spinal manipulation, is a manual therapy technique that aims to improve joint mobility and function of a joint that is jammed and unable to glide.

What is a jammed joint?

A jammed joint refers to a joint that has become stuck or locked in a specific position and is unable to move normally. This can occur in any joint in the body, but is most commonly seen in the fingers, toes, shoulder, and spine. A jammed joint can be caused by a variety of factors, including trauma, overuse, poor posture, or degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis.

Symptoms of a jammed joint may include:

Pain and tenderness in the affected joint
Limited range of motion
Swelling or stiffness
A popping or clicking sensation when moving the joint
Inability to fully straighten or bend the joint

What are the benefits of joint manipulation?

Pain relief: Manipulation can help reduce pain and muscle tension in the affected joint and surrounding areas.
Improved mobility: Manipulation can help increase the range of motion in the affected joint, making it easier to move and perform daily activities.
Increased flexibility: Manipulation may help to improve the flexibility of the muscles and soft tissues surrounding the joint.
Improved posture: Manipulation can help correct imbalances in the spine, which can lead to improved posture and a reduction in the risk of injury.
Reduced muscle spasm: Manipulation may help to reduce muscle spasm, which can improve the overall function of the joint.

What are the risks associated w/ joint manipulation?

Joint and Spinal manipulation are generally safe techniques when applied to appropriate patients by a trained, licensed professional. There are some potential side effects to be aware of, including:

Soreness or stiffness in the affected joint: This is usually mild and short-lived, and can be treated with over-the-counter pain medication or ice.
Worsening of symptoms: In some cases, joint manipulation may temporarily worsen symptoms, such as pain or stiffness.
Injury to surrounding tissue: There is a small risk of injury to the muscles, ligaments, or other soft tissue surrounding the joint.

Joint and Spinal manipulation should not be performed on patients that have history of head/neck trauma, osteoporosis, systemic disease, hypermobility syndromes and cancer to name a few.

Personally, I do not perform rotational "neck cracking" manipulations on my patients. I believe that those techniques carry an unnecessary risk to the arteries in the neck. Instead I perform linear manipulations to the uncovertebral joints which provides excellent results.