Spinal and Peripheral Joint Manipulation

At the end of the course, students should be able to: 1. differentiate between mobilisation and manipulation and between physiological and accessory motion; 2. explain the basic concepts of joint motion; 3. enumerate the indications for and contraindications to joint mobilisation; 4. describe the procedure (including concave-convex rule) for and apply joint mobilisation to different parts of the body; and 5. describe the different approaches to spinal manipulation.

Definitions of joint mobilisation. Physiological and accessory motions. Basic concepts of joint motion – joint shapes, sliding & rolling. Indications, goals limitations and contraindication for joint mobilisation. Procedures for applying joint mobilisation, including concave-convex rule. Specific mobilisation techniques as applied to joints in the body. Manual traction for cervical and lumbar spine. Safety considerations before mobilisations such as Vertebra-Basilar Insufficiency (VBI), revision of anatomy of VBI and tests and signs. Approaches to spinal mobilisation/manipulation including Cyriax, Mennel, Kaltenborn, Maitland, Nwuga, McKenzie techniques.