For the past weeks, we have shown you multiple ways to improve joint mobilization and manage pain. Now, we will show yet another way to deal with your joints and other parts of your body through the Mulligan concept.
What is the Mulligan concept?
Literature would tell you that the Mulligan concept is another type of Manual Therapy that involves several different mobilizing techniques to treat the spine. The technique also treats limbs affected by damage to the spine. It is designed to reduce pain and improve the patient’s range of motion by repositioning the affected joint. The Mulligan technique involves Natural Apophyseal Glides (NAGS), Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glides (SNAGS), and Mobilization with Movement (MWM) for the treatment of many musculoskeletal injuries.
How does it help?
The Mulligan concept specifically uses direct mobilization of the affected area. The main goal of this technique is to increase the pain-free range of movement of the spine and the affected limbs. That’s why this technique requires a hands-on Physical Therapist to do the job. The mobilization or movement is repeated until the goal for a specific joint is achieved. Patients who undergo this treatment receives the following benefits such as:
Treats pain
Increase pain-free range of movement of spine and limbs
Increases function
Long-lasting effect
During the examination, the therapist will determine if a joint restriction, range of motion loss, or pain is being generated by a joint. Aside from that, its protocol to also assess underlying issues so as not to aggravate the condition. Then, the therapist will reposition that joint, using their hands or a belt (Mulligan belt), to provide a situation that allows the patient to move further through the range of motion and decrease pain.
Who benefits from this technique?
Basically, anyone can benefit from this treatment with neck or back pain resulting in a limb such as:
Reduced range of motion in the back or neck
Joint stiffness in the back area or neck as well as arms or legs
Pain in the back or neck
Here are some exercises that you can do with the Mulligan concept for a home exercise. As a reminder, these are all done with an experienced Physical Therapist before you can actually do it on your own at home.
Mulligan Knee flexion exercise
Stand straight in a neutral position in front of a sturdy chair
Next, bring your leg up to the chair creating a 90 degrees angle to expose the fibular-head joint
Grab or hold behind the knee, making sure that the heel of your palm is aimed at the joint, push forward and lean your upper body forward and go back.
Repeat at least 10 times and you can do it on the other leg.
Hip Internal Rotation
Place a band or belt high up in the groin area
Then, assume a quadruped or all-fours kneeling position making sure that the belt is snug and secure. Also, to feel that there is tension or pulling with your upper thigh in a lateral direction and the belt.
From that position, maintain a neutral spine and work the hip from neutral to internal rotation by moving your foot in an outward fashion
Repeat 10 times on each side.
These are a few of the exercises that are involved in a Mulligan technique, For more information and evaluation, you can call us at Arise Physical Therapy and Wellness.
Comments