Physio Hub:
Evidence-Based Article
The Efficacy of Joint Manipulation
for Athletes
Joint adjustment, often referred to as joint manipulation, is a manual therapy technique commonly performed by chiropractors and physical therapists. It involves applying controlled force to specific joints to address musculoskeletal issues.
Research highlights the immediate benefits of joint adjustments, including pain relief that can last up to a week. Although the exact mechanisms are not fully understood, studies suggest joint manipulation reduces pain, improves flexibility, and enhances spinal kinematics.
On a physiological level, joint adjustments might activate the body’s natural pain-blocking systems, improve communication within the brain regions that regulate pain and attention, and influence cellular channels involved in pain signaling.
Are Joint Adjustments Good for Athletes?
The effectiveness of joint adjustments for athletes has been met with mixed results. For example, some studies found no significant impact on certain physiological parameters or movement mechanics in asymptomatic adults. However, other research points to potential benefits in specific scenarios.
Strength and Performance
Spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) has shown promise in improving strength performance, pain modulation, and range of motion, particularly in strength athletes. These enhancements can support athletes who rely on optimized physical performance.
Chronic Ankle Instability
For athletes with chronic ankle instability, talocrural joint manipulation has demonstrated the potential to improve functional performance, making it a valuable intervention for sports requiring ankle stability.
On-Field Acute Injuries
Spinal manipulation may also prove effective for addressing acute on-field injuries, provided the interventions meet specific criteria for safety and suitability.
Can You Play Sports After an Adjustment?
Athletes often wonder if it’s safe to engage in sports immediately after a joint adjustment. Generally, there’s no restriction on physical activity post-adjustment, but the response can vary depending on the individual and the intensity of the treatment.
Chiropractors and physical therapists may recommend waiting 24 hours to monitor how your body reacts to the adjustment. This precaution helps prevent aggravation of any existing issues and allows your body to adapt to the changes made during the session.
Joint adjustments offer promising benefits, including short-term pain relief and improved body function, which can be valuable for athletes seeking to enhance their performance or recover from injuries. While the underlying mechanisms remain complex and not fully understood, research supports their efficacy in certain cases. Always consult a qualified medical professional to determine the appropriateness of joint adjustments for your specific needs and follow their advice on post-treatment activity.
< Recommendation by Our Experts>
- Use it as a support tool, not a solution
Joint adjustments can relieve pain and improve function, but they work best when combined with proper training and rehab. -
Consult qualified professionals
Always work with a licensed chiropractor or physical therapist to ensure the treatment is safe and appropriate for your condition. -
Be mindful post-treatment
Consider waiting up to 24 hours after an adjustment before returning to intense activity to let your body adapt safely.
< Reference >
- Lutke Schipholt IJ, Scholten-Peeters G, Bontkes H, Coppieters MW. Neuroimmune responses following joint mobilisation and manipulation in people with persistent neck pain: a protocol for a randomised placebo-controlled trial. BMJ Open. 2022;12(3):e055748. doi:1136/bmjopen-2021-055748
- García-Pérez-Juana D, Fernández-de-Las-Peñas C, Arias-Buría JL, Cleland JA, Plaza-Manzano G, Ortega-Santiago R. Changes in Cervicocephalic Kinesthetic Sensibility, Widespread Pressure Pain Sensitivity, and Neck Pain After Cervical Thrust Manipulation in Patients With Chronic Mechanical Neck Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2018;41(7):551-560. doi:1016/j.jmpt.2018.02.004
- Evans DW. Why is the prevailing model of joint manipulation (still) incorrect? Chiropr Man Therap. 2022;30(1):51. doi:1186/s12998-022-00460-2
- Haussler KK. Joint Mobilization and Manipulation for the Equine Athlete. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice. 2016;32(1):87-101. doi:1016/j.cveq.2015.12.003
- Savva C, Karagiannis C, Korakakis V, Efstathiou M. The analgesic effect of joint mobilization and manipulation in tendinopathy: a narrative review. Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy. 2021;29(5):276-287. doi:1080/10669817.2021.1904348
- Isenburg K, Mawla I, Loggia ML, et al. Increased Salience Network Connectivity Following Manual Therapy is Associated with Reduced Pain in Chronic Low Back Pain Patients. The Journal of Pain. 2021;22(5):545-555. doi:1016/j.jpain.2020.11.007
- Martins DF, Sorrentino V, Mazzardo-Martins L, et al. Antihyperalgesic effect of joint mobilization requires Cav3.2 calcium channels. Mol Brain. 2023;16(1):60. doi:1186/s13041-023-01049-3
- Williams DrB. An Investigation into the Impact Spinal Manipulation May Have on the Performance of Strength Athletes: A Research Survey. IJRASET. 2022;10(7):1284-1291. doi:22214/ijraset.2022.45442
- Corso M, Mior SA, Batley S, et al. The effects of spinal manipulation on performance-related outcomes in healthy asymptomatic adult population: a systematic review of best evidence. Chiropr Man Therap. 2019;27(1):25. doi:1186/s12998-019-0246-y
- Kamali F, Sinaei E, Bahadorian S. The immediate effect of talocrural joint manipulation on functional performance of 15–40 years old athletes with chronic ankle instability: A double-blind randomized clinical trial. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. 2017;21(4):830-834. doi:1016/j.jbmt.2017.01.010
- Duquette SA, Kazemi M. The use of spinal manipulation to treat an acute on field athletic injury: a case report. J Can Chiropr Assoc. 2016;60(2):158-163.
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