There are two different forms of joint injuries. This includes subluxations and dislocations. Subluxations are where the joint separates, but still has some contact remaining within the joint. Dislocations are where the joint separates and there is no contact remaining between the bones. During this type of injury, strains, sprains as well as the possibility of the joint capsule injury, can occur, depending on the way that the subluxation or dislocation happens. When a dislocation or subluxation occurs, you must go and see a doctor to be able to put the joint back in place, as well as do a procedure called reduction. This helps the joint to become stabilized while it is healing.
When a dislocation or a subluxation occurs, massage therapy is unable to help until after you have been looked at by a doctor, and they have been able to put it back into place and stabilize it. Once that happens, there is some minimal work that can be done by a massage therapist. The main part of the treatment is to help reduce swelling to the area while keeping the joint in a stabilized position during the treatment. Also, other areas of the body are worked on to help with compensation issues. Position and compensating areas will depend on where the dislocation/subluxation occurs.
Throughout the entire healing process swelling and compensating areas are worked on during the treatment. As the joint begins to heal, more work can be accomplished, within your pain tolerance. In the beginning, and for most of the healing process, there is not any work allowed to be done below the dislocation. The reason for that is to make sure there isn’t any added congestion in the joint. However, in the chronic stage of the healing process, work below the joint can be done. Also later into the healing process trigger points, protective muscle spasms, strains, and sprains are worked on closer to the affected joint. Range of motion techniques are only done when there is no pain, starting with passive movements, increasing in difficulty the more that the joint is healed.
In the end stages of the treatment plan, the goal, is to bring back full range of motion of the joint, fix any compensating areas that occurred during the healing process, and decreasing pain from trigger points or other tissue damage. You can look at Sprains and Strains articles, also on this site.