Mulligan Mobilization can be better explained once traditional joint mobilization is understood. The goal of joint mobilization is to loosen the restricted joint and increase motion. In traditional joint mobilization, the physical therapist moves the joint in ways that the patient is unable to move on their own. The patient is passive; they must relax the joint and not assist in the mobilization. In Mulligan Mobilization, the physical therapist and patient work together. The physical therapist will hold the joint in the optimal position while the patient helps move their joint through their range of motion. For example, if the patient is experiencing knee pain the physical therapist could have them stand on the effected leg and go through the motion of bending the knee while the therapist holds and guides the knee through the proper motions. Mulligan Mobilization, like other joint mobilizations, should be pain free. 

Quick facts about Mulligan Mobilization:

• Loosens tight joints to increase the patient’s ability to move
• Patient and physical therapist work together
• Is not painful