Manipulation and Mobilisation Therapy

Manipulation and mobilization therapies are techniques of the manual medicine.
In most cases they are used for treatment of functional joint blocks which are painful and patients cannot move very well and it leads to additional pathological reflectory changes, especially to aching points, hyperalgic zones and muscle spasms.
The purpose of the treatment is the release of the motoric segment (in the spine area), or the restoration of joint mobility but also the adjustment of the muscle tone and treatment of the so-called trigger points which are often the cause of pain, muscle weakness or limited motorics.
The idea is first to create the so-called overstress and then to release the block through fast movement in the designed direction, small in scale and using small force. The mobilization contributes to reducing of the blockade before subsequent manipulation or the blockade releases completely. It uses the principle of repeated short moves from extreme to neutral position, without impact but with permanent overstress. The effect of this method can be increased by using the combination of muscle facilitation and inhibition. However, the method requires the co-operation of the patient who makes isometric pressure in the opposite direction, and its relief results in relaxation which allows partial movement in the direction of the block (Mitchell).
The application should be repeated several times.
In order to exert the isometric resistance, the therapist can take advantage of gravitation force of the head or an extremity (antigravitation relaxation – Zbojan). Selected simple mobilization techniques may also be used by trained physiotherapist (slower pulling of the muscle – release, subsequent muscle extension – stretching, post-facilitation relaxation or inhibition) in combination with so-called soft techniques; some of them may be used only by a therapist with a special licence.

It is an above standard medical treatment which is extra paid.