Which of the following is an example of mechanotherapy?

Which of the following is an example of mechanotherapy?

• A. Ice massage
• B. Ultrasound
• C. Mechanical joint mobilization
• D. Light therapy

Answer: (C)

Mechanotherapy uses mechanical forces or movement to affect tissues. Mechanical joint mobilization applies controlled movement to a joint through glides and oscillations, aiming to restore joint play, stretch structures around the joint, and optimize synovial fluid distribution. This direct mechanical stimulus to the joint is what characterizes mechanotherapy. In contrast, ice massage uses cooling to reduce inflammation (cryotherapy), ultrasound delivers energy to tissue to produce thermal or non-thermal effects without moving the joint, and light therapy uses photons to influence cellular processes—none of which are about moving or loading the joint.

Mechanotherapy uses mechanical forces or movement to affect tissues. Mechanical joint mobilization applies controlled movement to a joint through glides and oscillations, aiming to restore joint play, stretch structures around the joint, and optimize synovial fluid distribution. This direct mechanical stimulus to the joint is what characterizes mechanotherapy. In contrast, ice massage uses cooling to reduce inflammation (cryotherapy), ultrasound delivers energy to tissue to produce thermal or non-thermal effects without moving the joint, and light therapy uses photons to influence cellular processes—none of which are about moving or loading the joint.