Geoffrey Douglas Maitland, born in 1924 in Australia, is the founder of the Maitland mobilization techniques. He completed his training as a physiotherapist in 1949 and quickly developed an interest in “careful clinical examination and assessment of patients with neuro-musculoskeletal disorders."
He studied from and learned the techniques of practitioners in the medical, osteopathic, chiropractic, and bonesetter fields. His career led him to teach students and become a noteworthy contributor to medical and physiotherapy journals while still treating patients. Maitland’s publishing and lectures addressed the importance of the subjective examination and specific passive movements that, at the time, did not play a large role in the treatment of patients.
Patient Evaluation: The Subjective examination is complete when PT has identified what structures should be examined and how it should be done- kind of disorder, history, area, the behaviour of symptoms (general, particular, special questions, history)
Listen! The Objective examination supports/ negates PTs hypothesis from the subjective exam1- clear proximal joints
Active Movements: Flexion. Extension. Rotation. Side Flexion. Combined movements/ Quadrants - (flexion/ side flexion/ rotation) or (extension/ side flexion/ rotation)All are performed with overpressure - "slight oscillatory movement at the end of AROM". Check for end feel, ROM, reproduction of symptoms.
Palpation: check skin for sweating, temperature, soft tissue changes. PAIVMs (Passive Accessory Intervertebral Movements and PPIVMs (Passive Physiological Intervertebral Movements) are gentle movements that can help direct the therapist identify location, nature, severity, and irritability of symptoms.- checking for hyper/hypomobility, instability, spam central PAs on the spinous process or Unilateral PAs on the articular pillar, transverse process, or facet to identify comparable sign1Movement DiagramsIntended to convey information to other therapists such as initial(R1) and end resistance (R2), onset (P1), intensity/ irritability/ nature, and limit of pain (P2)1Neurological Testing:Dermatome and Myotome testing will help the Physical Therapist determine what level (vertebrae) of the spine to treat.
Things to Consider:
It is imperative to identify the active and/or passive movements that provoke or ease the symptoms of the patient.1Once the movements are identified, a choice of treatment to provoke or relieve the symptoms must be made.1Nature –refers to the type of issue that is causing the symptoms (i.e.: mechanical, inflammatory, etc.)Severity - refers to the intensity of the pain-provoking activity. Caution is necessary during the examination and treatment.Irritability - refers to the pain level, how far into a movement pain is provoked, and how long it takes to subside after the movement is withdrawn2Is the patient pain dominant? Or stiff dominant?In 1995, a research report created a spinal mobilization model to measure force and displacement during mobilization. It was discovered that therapists "consistently underestimated the amount of force that they were applying", meaning their force was truly a lot more than they thought they were applying.
What Part of the Body are Mobilizations Used?
Mobilizations can be used for every joint in the human body.His main focus was on the movements of the vertebral column and the interaction between the nerves, discs, and joints.
What are Mobilizations?* passive movements* used to increase the mobility of joints* used to decrease pain* performed at a speed in which it is possible for the patient to prevent the movement* may be "gentle-smooth" or "stretching-staccato"1Passive Accessory Movement: joint movement, performed by the PT, the patient cannot reproduce.
Types of Passive Accessory Movements:
CPA - Central Posterior Anterior- best used for pain evenly distributed on both sides- indicated when pain/ protective spasm is present in the same direction1UPA - Unilateral Posterior Anterior- best used for unilateral pain- in the cervical region, when pain is reproduced in AP direction, referred pain to ear/throat/ anterior shoulder/ scapula/ headache1CAP - Central Anterior Posterior- best used for spondylolisthesis or intradiscal disorder1UAP - Unilateral Anterior Posterior- used mostly in cervical region1Rotation (General or Localized)- Maitland feels this is most useful for lumbar spine- best used for unilateral pain whether referred to leg or not1Transverse- best used for unilateral distribution- push towards the painful side1Longitudinal- in the cervical region, it helps the patient to gain confidence in the therapist- in the lumbar spine, double leg method for even distribution, gentle for acute localized pain- single leg methog for unilateral below the 4th lumbar vertebra.
Bouts of treatment should be performed for 30 seconds. The physical therapist will reassess the patient's symptoms after each bout. The therapist should pay close attention to how assessment questions are worded as to not lead. Questions such as "any change?" or "how does it feel?" are non-leading. Whereas, questions such as "any better?" or "less pain?" are leading.4Never attempt to manipulate a muscle in spasm, gentle passive movements may relieve the spasm4Contraindications to Mobilization: bone diseasemalignancypregnancy1vertebral artery insufficient active ankylosing spondylitis rheumatoid arthritis spondylosis thesis gross foraminal encroachment, acute nerve root irritation or compression instability of the spine, recent whiplash, undiagnosed pain, psychological pain where signs do not match symptoms5steroid use affects ligament laxity.
According to Maitland, the word manipulation can be used to describe all forms of mobilization.
Grades for Pain Relief (Irritable):
- Grade I: before R1, small amplitude
- Grade II: before R1, large amplitude
For Stiffness (Non-irritable):
Grade III: between R1 and R2, large amplitude
Grade IV: at end near R2, small amplitude
Grade V: this is typically termed as manipulation - small amplitude, high speed, thrust.for this grade, a patient may not be able to prevent the movement