Maitland concept

What is Maitland concept?

Maitland concept is a type of manual therapy for the spine and the peripheral joints. It is a minimally aggressive therapy for mobilizing the joints.

What does this technique include?

It always starts with a thorough examination of the patient, which includes writing down all the  symptoms, the objective signs and the clinical findings. In addition to the diagnosis of the doctor, as physical therapists we need an assessment, in order to imprint the stiffness, the pain, quality and quantity of movement. Thus, we evaluate the range of motion, the strength ratio of muscle groups and their ability to coordinate. With this procedure we have a clear picture of the dysfunction level.

Is it safe for me?

This method, is applied from specially trained physical therapists, who use certain techniques for each joint (e.g. passive or accessory movements applying different amount of localized pressure).

Having a detailed history, we aware of any contraindications, plus this method is not always equal to thrusts, but mainly uses minimal necessary force and always respect the underlying pathology. 

Criteria for the decision of the technique that will be used is how acute, severe or chronic is the problem, the type and duration of pain and stiffness. Using the clinical reasoning we create a treatment plan with the direction and the amount of force that is required.

Additionally, we define the goals of our treatment and the level of activity we want to achieve. Thus, there is a self tailored program, adjusted to each individual.

In which cases is it applied?

This method is applied in most cases of musculoskeletal problems, degenerative diseases, post surgical or post traumatic conditions. Improvement of the joint movement can facilitate the strengthening program, which is necessary to maintain optimum function.

Additionally, very important is the correction of wrong pattern of movement, something that is quite common in chronic problems, where paradox movement or posture is adopted in order to avoid pain.Exercise together with good ergonomics will protect the patient from future relapse