Joint Mobilization
Therapeutic Massage

Joint mobilization is a slow, gentle type of therapeutic massage that is used to ease joint pain and stiffness. This type of massage therapy involves the passive movement of painful joints to loosen them.

Joints are like hinges throughout the body that should move freely and easily, but over the course of your life your joints can become what is referred to as fixated. When a joint is fixated it no longer moves as freely as it should. The internal parts become stuck restricting movement and even causing pain. This can happen as a result of injury or general wear and tear.

Mobilization therapy works to unstick your fixated joints allowing for easy range of motion and easing pain and discomfort. The therapy works on all types of joints. It can be used to address problems in the foot, ankle, hand, neck, and even cranial joints.

joint mobilization

The therapy consists mainly of passive ranges of motion that are done quite slowly. The therapist moves the bones of the affected joint gently in opposite directions to release tension and ease compression. Moving the joint slowly allows the therapist to stretch the surrounding tissue further than normally possible. If the joint was stretched to quickly the surrounding muscles would tighten to protect it making it more difficult for the therapist to work. When the work is done slowly this natural protective action doesn't occur allowing the therapist to more easily increase the range of motion in the joint.

This therapy is good for treating the following:

arthritis
sports injury
joint pain
joint stiffness
headaches

This therapy is especially good for the elderly because they often suffer from joint pain and stiffness.

Once a joint is decompressed and moving fully again the blood will flow more freely in the area allowing the joint to receive the nutrition it needs. Blood and lymph will more easily circulate in and out of the joint. Tension, muscle spasms and pain in the area will also decrease.