Mobilisation is the application of rhythmic movement to relax and loosen soft tissue attached to the bones. It can be appropriate for people who do not like deep manipulations with great force and a prefer a gentler approach.
It is helpful when there are textual changes in the deep soft tissue, asymmetry in joint alignment, when there is a reduced range of movement and localised tenderness reproducing symptoms.
Joint Sounds explained:
- The manipulative crack is cavitation – which is a gas release
- Joint tracking clicking – associated with unbalanced tone.
- Fine crepitation. Sand paper noise/feel is associated with early cartilage wear e.g.; squatting – you can hear bone on bone.
- Coarse crepitation. Rough grating noise/feel – late cartilage wear – bone on bone
- Tendon snapping over bony promontory. Associates with abnormal tone/spasm e.g. hip popping
- Fine crepitation as tendon slides through sheath e.g.; Achilles tendon.
Joints involved in mobilisations
- Shoulder
- Neck
- Hips
- Knees
- Ankles
- Sacro iliac
- Lumbar spine
- Thoracic spine
- Ribs
