Small joint manipulation is a technique used to manipulate and disrupt the interconnected system of smaller joints within the fingers and toes. It involves grabbing and bending back the fingers or toes, as well as applying pressure to the wrist or ankle joints. In this answer, I will provide a detailed explanation of how small joint manipulation is performed.
1. Finger and Toe Manipulation:
To manipulate the smaller joints in the fingers or toes, start by firmly grasping the digit you want to manipulate. Place your thumb on one side of the joint and your fingers on the other side. Apply gentle pressure to the joint and slowly begin to bend it backward. This action disrupts the normal alignment of the joints and can cause discomfort or pain to the recipient.
2. Wrist and Ankle Joint Manipulation:
Manipulating the wrist or ankle joints requires a different approach. Begin by positioning yourself beside the person whose joints you want to manipulate. For wrist manipulation, place one hand on the back of their hand, with your thumb on the wrist joint. Use your other hand to support their forearm. Apply pressure to the wrist joint by pushing it in a downward direction, causing the joint to bend backwards slightly.
Similarly, for ankle joint manipulation, position yourself beside the person’s foot. Place one hand on top of their foot, with your thumb on the ankle joint. Use your other hand to support their leg. Apply pressure to the ankle joint by pushing it downward, causing a slight bending backward of the joint.
3. Interconnectivity of Smaller Joints:
The manipulation of smaller joints disrupts the interconnectivity within the joint system. Our fingers and toes consist of multiple joints, including the metacarpophalangeal (MCP), proximal interphalangeal (PIP), and distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints in the fingers, and the metatarsophalangeal (MTP), proximal interphalangeal (PIP), and distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints in the toes. By applying pressure and bending these joints, the normal alignment and movement patterns are disturbed, causing discomfort and potentially limiting the mobility of the affected joints.
4. Precautions:
It is important to note that small joint manipulation should only be performed by trained professionals, such as medical practitioners or physiotherapists, who have a thorough understanding of the anatomy and potential risks involved. Improper manipulation or excessive force can lead to joint damage, ligament sprains, or other injuries. It is crucial to prioritize the safety and well-being of the individual receiving the manipulation.
Small joint manipulation involves grabbing and bending back the fingers or toes and applying pressure to the wrist or ankle joints. This technique disrupts the interconnectivity of smaller joints within the fingers and toes, causing discomfort and potentially limiting joint mobility. However, it is important to emphasize that small joint manipulation should only be performed by trained professionals to ensure safety and minimize the risk of injury.