Chiropractic Adjustments for Restricted Joint Mobility in Bradford

A joint that does not move the way it should changes how you bend, turn, reach, walk and lift. You might notice that you cannot look over one shoulder as far as the other, that a hip feels blocked when you put on your socks, or that your mid-back will not twist. At WellCare Medical in Bradford, chiropractic adjustments for restricted joint mobility restore movement in the joints that have stiffened, and exercise keeps the new range.

• long periods of sitting, or working in one position
• repetitive tasks that use the same narrow range of movement
• an old injury that healed with stiffness
• wear and tear in the joint (osteoarthritis)
• protecting a painful area for so long that it stopped moving

When one joint is restricted, its neighbours move more to compensate, and they are often where the pain eventually appears.

• Mid-back. Stiff from desk posture, which limits twisting and makes the neck and shoulders work harder.
• Hips. Reduced rotation, often with tight hip flexors, which adds strain to the lower back.
• Shoulders. Limited overhead reach, linked to a stiff upper back and tight chest muscles.
• Ankles. Loss of forward bend after sprains, which affects squatting, stairs and walking.
• Neck. Reduced rotation to one side.

Your chiropractor tests each region to find the specific joints that are restricted. Treatment may involve:

• manual adjustments, which are quick, precise movements applied by hand
• slower mobilization, repeated gently within a comfortable range
• soft-tissue work on the muscles that limit the joint

Adjustments are followed by mobility exercises and progressive strengthening, so you can use and control the range you have gained.

After your assessment you will know which joints are restricted and why. Many people notice freer movement straight after treatment. Lasting change comes from repeating the exercises at home, and we keep the list short so that it is realistic.

See a doctor if a joint is hot, red or swollen, locks or gives way, became stiff suddenly after an injury, or if stiffness comes with fever or feeling generally unwell.

For joints that are painful as well as stiff, see chiropractic treatment for joint pain. Our physiotherapists treat joint stiffness and muscle tightness, and massage to improve circulation and range of motion helps tight tissue let go. Learn more about our chiropractic care in Bradford.