Joint Mobilisation

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 Joint Mobilisation is a form of manual therapy whose intention, as its name states, is to increase the mobility of a joint. Mobilisation of the joints involves passive joint movements within the control of the patient and within range of joint. The goal of mobilisations is to restore active range of motion to compromised joints through oscillating movements. 

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Grades of Joint Mobilisation

 

Grade I – any beginning range of motion (small amplitude)

Grade II – full active range of motion (large amplitude)

Grade III – full passive range of motion (large amplitude)

Grade IV – range of motion into joint play (usually nonaxial motion) with slow oscillations (small amplitude)

Grade V – range of motion into joint play (usually nonaxial motion) with a fast thrust (small amplitude)

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Grades IV and V are identical except for the speed of the mobilisation (slow oscillations vs. fast thrust).

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Grade V mobilization is often described as a chiropractic manipulation or adjustment, or high-velocity low-amplitude thrust mobilization/manipulation and will not be treated.