Joint Mobilization
There are two main problems that most people experience with their joints. These are:

• Joint stiffness
• Joint pain.

There are many cases where you can experience joint pain and joint stiffness in isolation. However, they can also occur simultaneously. This results in limited or painful movement of joints.
What is normal joint movement?
Joints that are healthy and pain free can move in the directions they were designed to move without restriction or causing pain. If you feel like your joints are restricted, locking or painful when they move in any particular direction, then this is not normal joint movement.
When you visit SoundSide Physical Therapy, a skilled and licensed physical therapist will take you through various tests to assess your joints. They will look for signs of:

• Pain
• Stiffness
• Hypermobility
• A combination of the above.

Joint mobilization techniques
If your joints are stiff, hypermobile or painful, your physical therapist may refer you for joint mobilization. Joint mobilization therapy focuses on assisting patients to attain normal range of movement in their joints. Our physical therapists will apply techniques focused on eliminating restriction and pain in your joints during movement.
Some common techniques applied in joint mobilization include:

• Mobility exercises
• Gentle joint mobilization
• Joint manipulation
• Physical instrument mobilization
• Traction and distraction techniques
• Minimal energy techniques

At SoundSide Physical Therapy, we have a deep understanding of joints and normal joint movement. We understand how anxious patients can be when faced with the idea of treatments for joint stiffness and pain. You can be sure that we will only apply safe, gentle and effective techniques.