The Mulligan Concept is a manual therapy technique developed by Brian Mulligan of Wellington, New Zealand. The concept is based on the mobilization with movement (MWM) technique of gliding specific joints at precise angles with a specific amount of pressure while a patient moves through a full active range of motion. When performed correctly, this technique will be pain-free and will show an immediate increase in the patient’s range of motion.
While the spinal joints are glided at parallel angles, the peripheral joints are glided at perpendicular angles. If there is pain or lack of increased motion there are 3 things the clinician needs to consider:
- The segment being treated
- The angle of the mobilization
- The force being applied
The clinician should also be constantly on the lookout for the PILL response (Pain free, Instant result, Long Lasting) to determine the effectiveness of the treatment, while also investigating combinations of parallel or perpendicular glides to find the correct treatment plane.
Once the correct mobilization has been identified, it’s important for the patient to reach their end range of the motion and apply overpressure at the very end. Overpressure (pushing slightly more at the end of the active range) will ensure the positive carryover of the technique while creating stretching, but not pain. The techniques are especially effective because they can be performed by the patient with a specific exercise program on their own. If a patient is performing these exercises correctly on their own at home, they should expect a 50% improvement in their motion by their second therapy visit.
To become a certified Mulligan provider (a CMP), the clinician needs to attend three separate classes and pass both a written and practical exam. If you would like more information about the Mulligan Concept or want to be treated by a CMP, feel free to give Red Canyon Physical Therapy a call and make an appointment with one of our Certified Mulligan Providers today.
Dry Needling as a Treatment for Chronic Pain
/in Pain ManagementChronic pain is defined as any pain that persists longer than normal tissue healing time following an injury (2 weeks or longer). People commonly develop chronic pain after minor or major injuries, anything from a fender bender to a sprained ankle to major trauma involving surgery. Typically, we find that patient’s get stuck in a ‘pain cycle’ which can be very hard to break.
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Therapeutic Cupping for Increased Blood Flow & Pain Relief
/in Athletic Performance, Pain ManagementMany of us were first introduced to therapeutic cupping during the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. All eyes were on Michael Phelps, and many of us were surprised to see numerous red and purple marks all over his shoulders and back. The commentators went on to explain what these marks were a result of, and therefore cupping was brought into the forefront as a treatment to relieve pain or increase blood flow.
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Tips to Help with Sciatica Pain from Sitting
/in Common Questions About Physical Therapy, Pain ManagementIf you are required to sit for most of your workday, you may have experienced sciatica pain. Sciatica is pain that affects the back, hip, and leg and is caused by compression of the sciatic nerve. Compression of the sciatic nerve can be caused by arthritis or spinal stenosis but can also occur as a result of sitting for extended periods of time, especially with poor posture. Taking these simple steps during your workday can help relieve this discomfort.
Read moreCold Laser Therapy FAQs
/in Common Questions About Physical TherapyThe use of lasers in a therapeutic setting has been around for many years, starting with small studies conducted in the 1960s to test the use of lasers for pain relief. Cold laser therapy has gained popularity recently in the therapy world since its first FDA approved trail began in 2002. This low-level laser has been shown to decrease swelling and inflammation in people with acute and chronic pain. More recent studies involving Cold Laser therapy in combination with exercise have been shown to reduce pain levels in patients with Carpal tunnel syndrome and myofascial pain syndrome, among other common chronic pain conditions.
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3 Quick Steps for Addressing Lower Back Pain at Work
/in Pain Management, Posture and BalanceDo you often find yourself sore, stiff, and lacking energy while at work? It may be time to address some key factors in your work environment. There is no getting around the fact that sitting for prolonged periods of time with poor posture may be a huge contributor to why you’re feeling that unrelenting pain or stiffness. With office jobs requiring sitting or being in a static position for long durations, there tend to be postural imbalances and over-use injuries that come with them. In this blog you will find 3 important steps to address your pain and improve your function.
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US Department of Health & Human Services Publishes 2018 Updates to Physical Activity Guidelines
/in Common Questions About Physical TherapyMost people know that one of the best ways to stay healthy and prevent injury is to remain active, but did you know that there are specific guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Health and Human services regarding how much activity people should get in order to get the most benefit from exercise? For the first time since their initial publication in 2008, these guidelines
have been updated based on new research to help Americans use exercise to help prevent disease and injury, and improve overall quality of life. Physical therapy is a great way to begin incorporating exercise into people’s lives, and as PTs and PTAs we strive to
encourage regular physical activity and education about just how many benefits there are to maintaining an active lifestyle.
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The Importance of Hand Washing in Physical Therapy
/in Common Questions About Physical Therapy, Tips for Dealing with InjuryAs the cooler months approach and the seasons change, cold & flu season begins to develop. Luckily, there are a variety of ways one can prevent sickness for one’s self in addition to preventing the spread of sickness to others. Simple suggestions include avoiding contact with individuals who are sick, staying home if sickness develops, avoiding touching the face, nose, and mouth, and covering nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing. One of the simplest ways to prevent sickness includes a task often overlooked: correct hand washing.
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The Maitland-Australian Method Explained
/in Common Questions About Physical TherapyThe Maitland-Australian method of manual therapy was developed by Geoff Maitland. This method focuses on patient symptoms and specifically how these symptoms change following specific manual therapy techniques, utilizing specific and graded joint mobilizations. These mobilizations are chosen for each individual patient based on their clinical presentation.
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Mulligan Concept of Manual Therapy: An Overview
/in Pain ManagementThe Mulligan Concept is a manual therapy technique developed by Brian Mulligan of Wellington, New Zealand. The concept is based on the mobilization with movement (MWM) technique of gliding specific joints at precise angles with a specific amount of pressure while a patient moves through a full active range of motion. When performed correctly, this technique will be pain-free and will show an immediate increase in the patient’s range of motion.
While the spinal joints are glided at parallel angles, the peripheral joints are glided at perpendicular angles. If there is pain or lack of increased motion there are 3 things the clinician needs to consider:
The clinician should also be constantly on the lookout for the PILL response (Pain free, Instant result, Long Lasting) to determine the effectiveness of the treatment, while also investigating combinations of parallel or perpendicular glides to find the correct treatment plane.
Once the correct mobilization has been identified, it’s important for the patient to reach their end range of the motion and apply overpressure at the very end. Overpressure (pushing slightly more at the end of the active range) will ensure the positive carryover of the technique while creating stretching, but not pain. The techniques are especially effective because they can be performed by the patient with a specific exercise program on their own. If a patient is performing these exercises correctly on their own at home, they should expect a 50% improvement in their motion by their second therapy visit.
To become a certified Mulligan provider (a CMP), the clinician needs to attend three separate classes and pass both a written and practical exam. If you would like more information about the Mulligan Concept or want to be treated by a CMP, feel free to give Red Canyon Physical Therapy a call and make an appointment with one of our Certified Mulligan Providers today.
How Does Physical Therapy Help in Concussion Recovery?
/in Common Questions About Physical TherapyNow that it’s July, it’s already time to start gearing up for fall sports like football, soccer, volleyball, and others. Unfortunately, anyone playing these sports, as we all know, is at risk for concussion. Head injuries have received a lot of publicity in recent news — so in this month’s blog, we’d like to answer a few questions about concussions and address how various techniques (particularly vestibular physical therapy) can be helpful in the recovery process. Read more