Individuals at work, school, etc, perform all kinds of repetitive physical tasks that put their bodies through a great deal of musculoskeletal stress, what are the effects and benefits of joint manipulation therapy for pain relief?
Table of Contents
Joint manipulation is a form of manual therapy that involves applying force to the spinal or peripheral joints to:
Chiropractors, massage, and physical therapists use various manipulation techniques to help move and feel better after an injury or illness that causes loss of functional mobility. Here we explain joint manipulation, its applications, and if the technique is safe for you and your condition.
The body is made up of cells that breathe by converting energy and releasing waste materials. One type of waste material from cell respiration is carbon dioxide. The gas is transported through the blood and delivered out of the body while breathing. Small pockets of gas can get trapped in the joints that expand and contract as pressure around the joint changes during movement, known as cavitation. When the gas is released through joint manipulation, there can be a popping or snapping sound as the joint is moved. Once the gas is released, joint pressure is decreased and mobility is increased. (Kawchuk, et al., 2015)
There are non-medical and medical causes of joint dysfunction and derangement that include:
In these situations, the joints can be temporarily placed in a dysfunctional/compromised position. When moving to the correct position, a popping sound can present as built-up pressure is released.
Joint problems can occur from medical conditions that can include:
In these cases, a medical problem can be causing a limitation in the joint’s position and movement. (Gessl, et al., 20220)
If a chiropractic practitioner determines there is joint dysfunction then manipulation may be a treatment option. The benefits include:
Joint manipulation is a safe manual therapy technique for certain individuals. (Puentedura, et al., 2016) This includes:
Joint manipulation is not recommended for everyone and can be dangerous or lead to injury in individuals with certain conditions. (Puentedura, et al., 2016) These include individuals with:
If there is pain, loss of movement, or decreased mobility after an injury or surgery, a chiropractic adjustment with joint manipulation can be beneficial to help regain movement. Manual techniques can help improve joint mobility, alleviate pain, and increase strength and stability around the joints. Joint manipulation isn’t for everyone and is recommended to consult with a healthcare professional to see if it is safe for your specific condition.
BASTOW J. (1948). Indications for joint manipulation. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Medicine, 41(9), 615.
Gessl, I., Popescu, M., Schimpl, V., Supp, G., Deimel, T., Durechova, M., Hucke, M., Loiskandl, M., Studenic, P., Zauner, M., Smolen, J. S., Aletaha, D., & Mandl, P. (2021). Role of joint damage, malalignment, and inflammation in articular tenderness in rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and osteoarthritis. Annals of the rheumatic diseases, 80(7), 884–890. doi.org/10.1136/annrheumdis-2020-218744
Hurley M. V. (1997). The effects of joint damage on muscle function, proprioception, and rehabilitation. Manual therapy, 2(1), 11–17. doi.org/10.1054/math.1997.0281
Kawchuk, G. N., Fryer, J., Jaremko, J. L., Zeng, H., Rowe, L., & Thompson, R. (2015). Real-time visualization of joint cavitation. PloS one, 10(4), e0119470. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0119470
Moser, N., Mior, S., Noseworthy, M., Côté, P., Wells, G., Behr, M., & Triano, J. (2019). Effect of cervical manipulation on the vertebral artery and cerebral hemodynamics in patients with chronic neck pain: a crossover randomized controlled trial. BMJ open, 9(5), e025219. doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2018-025219
Puentedura, E. J., Cleland, J. A., Landers, M. R., Mintken, P. E., Louw, A., & Fernández-de-Las-Peñas, C. (2012). Development of a clinical prediction rule to identify patients with neck pain likely to benefit from thrust joint manipulation to the cervical spine. The Journal of orthopedic and sports physical therapy, 42(7), 577–592. doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2012.4243
Puentedura, E. J., Slaughter, R., Reilly, S., Ventura, E., & Young, D. (2017). Thrust joint manipulation utilization by U.S. physical therapists. The Journal of manual & manipulative therapy, 25(2), 74–82. doi.org/10.1080/10669817.2016.1187902
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Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN*, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*
email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com
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Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, MSN-FNP, RN* CIFM*, IFMCP*, ATN*, CCST
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