Mulligan Concept

The Mulligan concept is one of the manual therapy techniques our team uses every week at our clinic on Northcliffe Avenue in Montreal. The principle is simple: when a movement hurts, it is often because a joint is no longer gliding quite along the right axis.

We see patients from Côte-des-Neiges, NDG, Westmount, Ahuntsic and Bois-Franc, and the Mulligan concept shows up in a good share of our treatment plans, whether for a locked-up shoulder or an ankle that never really recovered after a sprain.

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Osteopathy
15+
Années d'expérience
5000+
Patients traités
98%
Taux de satisfaction
2
Cliniques à Montréal

What is the Mulligan Concept?

Developed by New Zealand physiotherapist Brian Mulligan, this concept combines a gentle manual mobilization applied by the therapist with an active movement performed by you, at the same moment. That is what we call mobilization with movement, or MWM.

  1. MWM: we hold a joint correction while you repeat the movement that limits you
  2. NAGs and SNAGs: glides applied to the cervical and thoracic vertebrae, very useful for neck pain
  3. Correction of joint positioning, what Mulligan calls the "positional fault"
  4. Self-SNAGs and simple exercises to repeat at home between appointments

No abrupt manipulation, no forced cracking. You stay active during the technique, and that is exactly what makes it work.

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The pain-free rule

A well-executed Mulligan technique should not hurt. That is the central rule of the approach: if the movement stays painful despite the correction, the angle is wrong and we adjust it on the spot.

This requirement reassures a lot of people who hesitate to come in, especially older adults and patients who have already had an unpleasant experience with manual therapy. We treat patients from 2 to 80 years old, and the dosage changes completely from one case to the next.

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Physiothérapie pour réfugiés - Urgence Physio

Conditions that respond well to the Mulligan Concept

Not every pain falls under the Mulligan concept, but some respond remarkably fast. Here are the ones we see most often at our Montreal clinic.

  1. Frozen shoulder and adhesive capsulitis
  2. Tennis elbow, often in office workers and tennis players
  3. Recent or poorly healed ankle sprain, including falls on the ice in winter
  4. Neck pain, torticollis and headaches of cervical origin
  5. Cervicogenic dizziness, alongside our vestibular rehabilitation
  6. Knee or wrist stiffness after a period of immobilization

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A technique we integrate, never use alone

The Mulligan concept gives its best results when it fits inside a complete treatment plan. We use it within our physiotherapy follow-ups, with strengthening exercises and work on everyday movement habits.

Depending on the case, we pair it with dry needling, osteopathy or massage therapy to release the muscle tension that keeps the joint restriction going.

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Home Physiotherapy

A multidisciplinary Montreal clinic since 2009

We have been practising in Montreal since 2009 and we bring eight disciplines together under one roof, from physiotherapy to occupational therapy to acupuncture. Our team speaks more than ten languages, including French, English, Spanish and Arabic, which counts for a lot in a neighbourhood as diverse as Côte-des-Neiges.

For patients who have trouble getting around, we also offer home visits. You are in good hands.

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Private insurance, CNESST and SAAQ

Our physiotherapy treatments, including the sessions where we use the Mulligan concept, are covered by most private insurance plans. No medical referral is needed to book an appointment.

We also handle work accident (CNESST) and road accident (SAAQ) files, as well as sports injuries. If you are not sure about your coverage, we can walk you through it before your first session.

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Book an appointment

If a pain has been limiting you for weeks and exercises alone are no longer enough, an assessment is worth it. We are located at 2111 Northcliffe Avenue, Level B, Montreal, QC, and you can reach us at 514 488 3131 or book an appointment online.

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Our Specialties

Physiotherapy

Assessment and treatment of musculoskeletal injuries through targeted exercises and manual therapy.

Massage Therapy

Therapeutic massage to relieve muscle tension, improve circulation, and promote recovery.

Acupuncture

Ancient technique to reduce pain, inflammation, and stress by stimulating specific points.

Osteopathy

Gentle manual approach to rebalance the body and relieve chronic tension.

Occupational Therapy

Specialist in post-operative rehabilitation and manual therapy. 12 years of experience. Helps patients regain independence in daily activities after an accident, surgery, or illness.

Geriatric care

Programs tailored for seniors to maintain mobility, balance, and daily independence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Mulligan Concept hurt?

No. The technique is designed to be pain-free from start to finish. If you feel pain during the mobilization, your physiotherapist changes the angle or the pressure right away.

How many sessions before I feel a difference?

Many patients notice a gain in range of motion from the very first session, because the correction works during the movement itself. The total number of sessions depends on the condition, how long it has been there, and how consistent you are with your home exercises.

Do I need a prescription from my doctor?

No referral is required to see a physiotherapist in Quebec. Some private insurers ask for one for reimbursement, so check your contract before your visit.

What is the difference between the Mulligan Concept and a chiropractic manipulation?

A manipulation is a fast movement performed passively, often with a cracking sound. With Mulligan, you perform the movement yourself while we hold a light correction, with no jolt and without forcing the range.

Do you treat dizziness with this approach?

Yes, when the dizziness comes from the cervical region. We first identify where the problem originates through an assessment, then refer you to vestibular rehabilitation if the cause is more likely the inner ear.

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