What Is Joint Mobilization?

Photography by Hasina Kassam

Joint Mobilization is a modality that is a passive movement of a synovial joint, meaning that the therapist is the one applying the technique without the help of the patient. The aim of joint mobilization techniques is to decrease pain or increase joint mobility or both! Many manual therapists use this type of treatment - physiotherapists, chiropractors, massage therapists, osteopathic manual therapists, athletic therapists (ad more!), and there are many types of joint mobilization and they can be applied to most joints in the body (ie: shoulder or knee).

Traction is the application of mechanical force to slowly and gently create space in a synovial joint. This force can be applied intermittent in short bursts of traction or continuous for longer periods of time. The goal of tractioning a joint is to promote an increase in synovial fluid in the joint for healthier movement and hopefully a decrease in pain. Traction can be applied to any joint and is usually done by the therapist but some offices will have a traction table to help decompress a client’s spine. Studies have shown that traction tables can positively impact disc herniations and low back pain when used properly.

Oscillations are another form of joint mobilization that takes the joint through a rhythmic amplitude of a type of movement to increase range of motion and/or stimulate receptors to decrease pain. Oscillations are often paired with soft tissue work to prep the joint or to integrate the changes in the joint from the mobilization.

There are more types of Joint Mobilization, but I don’t want to give you a wall of text. I do want to stress that while joint mobilization techniques are beneficial for many types of joint pain or dysfunction, it should not be painful to receive this type of treatment. It can be tender or uncomfortable due to tissues being challenged, but not painful, so make sure to keep an open line of communication with your manual therapist.

Curious about Joint Mobilization? Make sure to ask your therapist to see if this approach would be a good option for you!