Joint mobilization

Graded, passive movement of a joint within or at the limit of its range, without a thrust.

Manual therapy5 of 9 professions covered

Choose your profession and state in Your lens above, and this page answers for you first.

At a glance

The national picture for each profession. Your state can differ; the section below says how to check.

DC, ChiropractorChiropractor
Within scopeChiropractic laws authorize manual treatment of the spine and other joints, which covers non-thrust mobilization.Updated October 10, 2026
PT, Physical therapistPhysical therapist
Within scopeJoint mobilization is a standard physical therapy intervention named in practice acts and the national model act.Updated October 10, 2026
PTA, Physical therapist assistantPhysical therapist assistant
Not yet covered
OT, Occupational therapistOccupational therapist
Varies by stateOccupational therapy laws rarely name joint mobilization, so whether it is allowed usually depends on your state board. Illinois rules list it with training requirements, and Nebraska's law excludes only grade V and thrust techniques.Updated October 10, 2026
OTA, Occupational therapy assistantOccupational therapy assistant
Not yet covered
AT, Athletic trainerAthletic trainer
Within scopeJoint mobilization is part of athletic trainer education and certification, and state laws that address it allow non-thrust mobilization, sometimes with conditions such as Nevada's master's degree requirement.Updated October 10, 2026
LMT, Massage therapistMassage therapist
Varies by stateMassage laws center on soft tissue: some, such as Maryland's and Nevada's, exclude any joint mobilization, while others exclude only thrust techniques and allow range-of-motion or stretching work. Range of motion is not the same as graded joint mobilization, so whether that is allowed depends on your state board.Updated October 10, 2026
CSCS, Strength and conditioning specialistStrength and conditioning specialist
Not yet covered
CPT, Personal trainerPersonal trainer
Not yet covered

What it is

Slow, repeated movements of a joint by the clinician to ease pain or improve motion. Unlike manipulation there is no quick thrust.

Names across professions

The same technique can carry different names in different practice acts. The word a statute uses can decide who may perform it.

Names for Joint mobilization across professions
Profession	Term in practice acts	Note
Physical therapist	Joint mobilization	Often described by grade, I to IV
Chiropractor	Mobilization
Occupational therapist	Joint mobilization	Common in hand therapy