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Physiotherapy is an evolving profession. Gone are the days of treatments that are based on “it worked last time” or “this is what I have always done.” These days Physiotherapy intervention is heavily evidence based. In other words, academics and researchers have identified exactly how and why treatments work and what they can be used for. This doesn’t mean however that Physiotherapy management approaches in the past did not work, it just now means we know why they work.
These are exciting times for Physiotherapists as it means we can be more accurate and effective in our treatments. It also means that we can justify using certain techniques and methods and; it also means that the revolution of Physiotherapy that introduced certain methodologies are now being proven as to why they are effective. It therefore seemed an appropriate time to introduce some of the Guru’s that Physiotherapists base their practice on so, over my next few newsletters I would like to introduce Brian Mulligan, Robin McKenzie, James Cyriaz and Paul Chek (who is more of an exercise guru but still influences Physiotherapy practice).
Brian Mulligan is the father of Mobilisations with movement. A concept where joints of the body are moved into what is considered their best position and then the joint is moved. Then, if we are accurate the joint will move more freely and pain can be resolved. It almost sounds like witchcraft but evidence and research support this concept and, anecdotally, I have seen countless occasions where a mobilisation with movement technique has almost instantaneously solved an injury. So, who is this man Brian Mulligan?
Brian Mulligan trained as a Physiotherapy at the New Zealand school of Physiotherapy in Otago. Graduating in 1954 he then opened his own private practice in Wellington where he continued to practice until the year 2000. Throughout his career manual therapies were always Brian’s interest and background. In 1968 Brian and (the above mentioned Robin McKenzie) formed the New Zealand Manipulative Therapies Association which went onto start and teach a post graduate programme for the Diploma of Manipulative Therapy.
In 1983 Brian ceased his teaching role on the Diploma programme and began teaching his own techniques in the field of Mobilsations with movement. The techniques and Brian’s teaching became world renowned and gave rise to the Mulligan Concept. This concept now forms the basis of many Physiotherapists practice and I can vouch for the success of it and applicability to acute, subacute and chronic injuries; so, if there are any aches and pains or old injuries that have never full recovered please come and see us and perhaps the Mulligan concept can help.
Best wishes and yours in health
The Team @ North City Physiotherapy
