Joint Mobilization and Manipulation: Introduction

History

Joint mobilization treatment and joint manipulation treatment have literally been developing for thousands of years, with early depictions of these techniques found in Thailand (2000 BC) and depicted by Hippocrates (500 BC). However, a more organized approach to mobilizations did not begin until the practice of "bone setting" appeared in England in the 1650s. Two hundred years later, schools were created for osteopaths (Still, 1876) and chiropractors (Palmer, 1895), aiding in formalizing education and advancing these techniques as a practice within a trade. Over the last 100 years, the advancement of these techniques, and their inclusion in the medical model, can be largely attributed to individuals such as Cyriax, Maitland, Kaltenborn, McKenzie, Mulligan, and Paris. In the last 20 years, the focus has shifted from individual innovators and "schools of thought" toward evidence-based practice. The Brookbush Institute will continue the trend toward an evidence-based refinement of mobilization and manipulation techniques; including the development of an evidence-based, systematic, integrated, patient-centered, and outcome-driven approach, refined by a comprehensive review of all relevant original research.

Research

Joint mobilization and joint manipulation strategies are relatively well-researched topics in sports medicine. These techniques are among the few modalities benefiting from 100s of comparative randomized control trials, including the efficacy of these techniques relative to other manual therapy techniques, self-administered techniques, and exercise interventions. The addition of joint mobilizations and manipulations to other effective methods, as part of an integrated approach to treatment, has demonstrated superior efficacy for hand pain (e.g. joint issues), sports injury (e.g. muscle sprains), altered recruitment patterns (e.g. muscle weakness resulting from inhibition), chronic pain of the low back (e.g. loss of lumbar mobility), etc.

What this Course Covers

• Definitions and Terminology
• Summary of Protocols
• Myth-busting
• Systematic Research Review
• Short-term and Long-term Outcomes
• Integrated Approach
• Best Practice Recommendations
• Cavitation Sounds

We hope this course aids in providing clarity about a topic that has benefited from a very large body of research and rich history of comparing joint mobilization strategies. Further, this course is pre-approved for credits toward the Integrated Manual Therapist (IMT) Certification, and pre-approved for continuing education credits for sports medicine professionals and health care providers (physical therapists, athletic trainers, massage therapists, chiropractors, occupational therapists, etc.).

Related Courses

• Joint Stiffness Assessment by Palpation
• Effects of Joint Mobilizations and Manipulations
• Joint Mobilizations and Manipulations: Risk of Adverse Events
• Joint Mobilizations and Manipulations: Evidenced-based Teaching and Learning