Mulligan Technique

The Mulligan Concept, developed by New Zealand physical therapist Brian Mulligan, is a gentle, pain-free manual therapy approach that combines joint mobilization with active patient movement. By correcting subtle positional faults while the patient moves, MWMs can rapidly restore biomechanics, reduce pain, and improve function—often with immediate, long-lasting results (Physiopedia, pittmanpt.com).

Conditions Commonly Treated with Mulligan Technique

  • Neck (Cervical) Pain & Radiculopathy
  • Low Back Pain & Lumbar Dysfunction
  • Shoulder Impingement & Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy
  • Knee Osteoarthritis & Patellofemoral Pain
  • Ankle Sprains & Chronic Instability
  • Elbow Tendinopathies (e.g., Tennis Elbow)
  • Hip and Thoracic Joint Restrictions (Wikipedia)

How a Licensed Physical Therapist Applies MWMs

  • Assessment of Positional Faults
    Hands-on evaluation to detect joint misalignments that provoke pain or limit motion.
  • Pain-Free Joint Glides
    Apply sustained, gentle accessory glides (MWMs or SNAGs) while the patient actively moves the joint through its range.
  • Instant Feedback & Progression
    Monitor the “PILL” response—Pain-free, Instant increase in range, Long-lasting effect—to guide technique and home-exercise prescription (saaolorthocare.com).
  • Patient Empowerment
    Teach self-mobilization techniques with straps or foam pads to maintain gains between sessions.
  • Integration with Exercise
    Combine MWMs with strengthening, flexibility, and functional drills for comprehensive rehabilitation.

Advantages of Mulligan Technique vs. Other Interventions

  • Immediate & Sustained Pain Relief
    Many patients experience notable reduction in pain and improved range of motion within minutes of treatment (ScienceDirect).
  • Non-Invasive & Low Risk
    Avoids needles, incisions, and systemic medication side effects—making it suitable for acute and chronic conditions alike.
  • Empowers Self-Management
    Patients learn self-mobilization strategies, reducing dependency on clinic visits and preventing recurrence.
  • Precision Diagnostics & Tracking
    When combined with musculoskeletal ultrasound and NCV/EMG testing, therapists can confirm tissue response and nerve function—fine-tuning treatment for optimal outcomes.

References

  1. Mulligan Concept – Physiopedia. Conditions treated with MWMs, including cervical, lumbar, shoulder, knee and ankle dysfunctions. (Physiopedia)
  2. Pittman PT. Clinical Applications of the Mulligan Technique. Demonstrates effectiveness in neck, back, shoulder, ankle, and arthritis pain. (pittmanpt.com)
  3. Concepto de Mulligan – Wikipedia. Short-term effects on knee osteoarthritis and ankle dorsiflexion, plus autonomic responses in epicondylalgia. (Wikipedia)
  4. Sitthipornvorakul E. et al. Immediate Effect of Modified Lumbar SNAGs in Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Patients: A Pilot Study. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2015;16:130. (ScienceDirect)

Mulligan’s Concept – Summit Orthopedics. Emphasizes PILL response: Pain-free, Instant, Long-lasting results. (summitortho.com)