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Therapies » Physiotheraphy » Passive Mobilisation of Joints


Mobility of joints might get restricted because of degenerative changes, trauma, and chronic pain. The restricting factors may be pain, muscle spasm, oedema, fibrous contracture of fascia, ligament or capsule. Always restoration of normal function of joint is very important, this can follow after analgesics administration. Restoring normal movements may relieve pain itself. The relief could be because of direct effect of passive joint movements by the stimulation of mechanoreceptors, which in turn inhibits the transmission of pain impulses from the periphery through the spinal cord to the brain. Rhythmical passive movements of joints have effects on skin, fascia, muscles, tendons and ligaments. This probably moves fluid through the tissue planes and increases lymphatic and venous drainage. This results in removal of metabolites, which act as irritant to the nociceptive nerve endings in the tissues and pain is reduced.
Treatment of other limiting factors and regaining movement and maintaining it by exercise is often effective in pain relief or reduction.

Spinal traction: This is a stretching force applied in a longitudinal direction of the spine. It may be manually applied (difficult to hold) or by mechanical or electrical methods. Patient gets relief from pain or pins and needles sensation and he feels increased spinal mobility. Traction is supposed to separate vertebral bodies, stretches fibrous tissue, improve movements of facet joints. All these in effect will lead to better drainage of fluid around the nerve roots in intervertebral foramen along with increasing lubrication. This better drainage of fluid removes metabolites and exudates produced by inflammation. In addition, it encourages inflow of fresh blood, which helps in tissue healing. Traction also counteracts gravity and poor posture and is useful as an adjunct to posture training.
 
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