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conferenceseries
.com
Volume 7, Issue 5
J Nov Physiother, an open access journal
ISSN: 2165-7025
Novel Physio 2017
August 21-22, 2017
4
th
International Conference and Expo on
August 21-22, 2017 | Birmingham, UK
Novel Physiotherapies
J Nov Physiother 2017, 7:5(Suppl)
DOI: 10.4172/2165-7025-C1-018
Physiotherapy instrument mobilisation: Clinical application of mechanical adjusting devices
according to joint kinematic principles
Tim Mann
Department of Physiotherapy, Australia
Statement of the Problem:
Articular mobilisation and manipulation techniques are performed by many health professionals
including physiotherapists. Problems exist with the reliability and specificity of manual mobilisation techniques, safety
of mobilisation of the cervical spine and thumb injury in the performance of manual techniques. It has been consistently
demonstrated that the majority of manual therapy physiotherapists eventually suffer from thumb damage to the extent that
that it impairs their ability to continue manual therapy. Clinicians demonstrate poor intratherapist and worse intertherapist
reliability for accurately applying mobilising forces to a specific vertebra. In addition to the problems of accurately manually
applying mobilising forces, there is good evidence to demonstrate that passive accessory movements are not specific to the
stated levels. Manipulation is not without danger and the risks of serious injury are well documented. Therefore a method of
more safely applying high velocity thrusts is desirable. Instrument mobilisation has greater safety with only one documented
major incident in over 40 years.
Benefits of Instrument Mobilisation:
Higher velocities of mobilisation, particularly instrument mobilisation, result in
higher relative inertia of adjacent vertebra and therefore a more specific accessory mobilisation. Instrument mobilisation
has documented equal effectiveness compared to manipulation of the cervical spine, lumbar spine and sacro-iliac joints.
Additionally, higher velocities of instrument mobilisation have a range of spindle-modulated afferent barrage effects that give
clinicians access to a variety of beneficial neurophysiological effects. Research reports that instrument mobilising according to
joint kinematic principles is as effective as the Activator Methods approach.
Conclusion:
Physiotherapy instrument mobilisation is more reliable, more specific, far safer, far more efficient, less injurious
to the therapist and equally effective compared to manipulation and mobilisation and is a useful manual therapy option for
physiotherapists and other clinicians.
balphysio@optusnet.com.au