Lefort Podiatry provide services for joint mobilisation to the local Forest Hill, Doveton, Blackburn, Burwood East & Vermont communities.
Joint Mobilisation involves controlled gliding movements by a podiatrist at various joint positions to restore normal joint motion. It serves to break up restrictions in joint tissue and therefore increases range of motion, reduces pain or both. Occasionally with more chronic and extensive restrictions some joints benefit from more forceful Joint Manipulation, where the movement is more rapid and occasionally, although not a necessity, a popping sound may be elicited from the joint.
Joints that do not move freely through their full range of motion are generally termed dysfunctional.
What Causes Joint Dysfunction?
Joint Dysfunction may be caused by injury, poor foot / lower limb posture (eg. flat feet) and some diseases such as Diabetes and Rheumatoid Arthritis.
How Does Joint Mobilisation Help?
When a joint is unable to move freely, a cycle of muscle spasm, pain, and fatigue may begin.
Joint Mobilisation / Manipulation can:
- reduce joint restriction for free / unrestricted motion decreasing the amount of force required by surrounding muscles / tendons to move the joints. Tendon, muscle and ligament pain and injury is reduced with faster healing as tension / spasm within these structures decreases
- stimulate special cells (mechanoreceptors) within and around joints that block sensations of pain from other cells (nociceptors)
- reduce joint pain by activating the production and release of synovial fluid, the joint’s lubricant and nutrient supply to cartilage
What Conditions Can Be Treated with Joint Mobilisation / Manipulation?
There are many musculoskeletal problems that may be helped with mobilisation / manipulation of the foot and ankle joints. Examples include stiffness and pain related to old ankle / foot injuries, Osteoarthritis, heel pain, Achilles Tendon pain, generalised foot / ankle pain and many more.
Contact us today to make an appointment.