Joint Manipulation FAQ
What is joint manipulation?
Joint manipulation involves the application of a
small, rapid, skilled movement to a joint for the
purpose of normalizing joint motion and
decreasing pain. Joint manipulation is typically
associated with a popping sound similar to
cracking knuckles.
Is joint manipulation dangerous?
While no treatment is without risk, the risk of joint manipulation is very minimal, especially when utilized appropriately by a skilled provider.
In order to mitigate the risks involved, Mike will thoroughly evaluate you to determine if he believes you are a good candidate for joint manipulation. Mike will also carefully assess the movement of your joints to determine which joint is involved, whether the joint may benefit from manipulation, and whether the affected area is able to relax enough to treat it.
Does joint manipulation hurt?
In general, joint manipulation does not hurt. Some peer reviewed scientific studies indicate that temporary soreness is not uncommon. However, like any skill, joint manipulation is highly operator-dependent. Choosing a less-skilled provider may increase your risk of having pain during or after treatment.
What experience do you have in performing joint manipulation?
Mike has been utilizing joint manipulation daily in his clinical practice since 2017. He has received extensive hands-on education from some of the foremost manual physical therapists in the country. He is one of only 26 physical therapists in Connecticut to be recognized as a Fellow of the American Academy of Manual Physical Therapy – the highest recognized level of training.
How much will it help my pain? When will I feel relief? For how long?
This depends on the nature of the problem for which joint manipulation is being used.
For some patients, the sole cause of pain is a temporary loss of joint motion. In these circumstances, joint manipulation can sometimes fully correct the problem in a single treatment.
More commonly, there is another accompanying problem – for example, a concurrent injury or a chronic condition. In these cases, joint manipulation can improve pain and help normalize the movement of joints, but repeated treatments may be necessary to maintain the treatment effect.
Effects are often immediate. If the treatment works, you should experience improvement in symptoms by the next day at the latest.
How do I know if joint manipulation could help me?
Joint manipulation has pain inhibiting effects. It can also be highly useful for the correction of a restricted or locked joint.
You may have a restricted spinal joint if you feel:
Sudden, sharp, or pinching sensation with movement
Pain on one side of the neck or back
Asymmetry in spinal motion between left and right sides
Neck pain with looking up or over your shoulder
Lower back pain with bending backwards, to the side, or twisting
While restricted joints are most common in the spine and ribcage, the joints of the extremities can become restricted as well, and may respond to joint manipulation.
In addition to correcting joint movement, joint manipulation has also been shown to have a positive effect on the effect of the nerves and muscles associated with the treated spinal segments, including improvement in muscle spasm and reduction in radiating arm and leg pain, making it a potentially useful treatment for managing these conditions.
Other factors
Due to natural changes that happen to the spine over the years, spinal manipulation often works best in younger patients (20-45 years old). People who are 45-60 may often be good candidates for joint manipulation, but the odds of successful treatment decrease compared to younger individuals. People over 60 are less likely to benefit from joint manipulation. While this type of treatment may still be appropriate and in some cases quite effective, the risks increase and odds of success decrease, so the patient needs to be evaluated more closely, and joint manipulation must be utilized more cautiously on a case-by-case basis for these individuals.
How do I know if I shouldn’t have joint manipulation?
Joint manipulation is not appropriate for people who have conditions which weaken bone. These include:
Osteoporosis (low bone density)
Fracture (broken bone)
Bone tumor
Bone infection
Joint manipulation may not be appropriate for people who :
Are unable to relax the injured area
Have dizziness (only applies to neck manipulation)