What is PIM (Physiotherapy Instrument Mobilisation)?

Physiotherapy Instrument Mobilisation (PIM) is an innovative concept that involves mobilising your spinal and peripheral joints via a mechanical spring loaded instrument according to physiotherapy principles.

PIM is a safe measurable and extremely effective joint mobilisation technique provided by specially-trained physiotherapists.  With only 13 Queensland based PIM-trained physiotherapists, it is a unique joint treatment approach to ease your pain quickly and loosen any joint stiffness. 

If you are particularly interested in the PIM treatment approach please ask the receptionist who uses the PIM Treatment Approach when booking your appointment at PhysioWorks.

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How Does PIM Differ to the Chiropractic Activator Method?

Despite the PIM instrument looking similar to the activator instrument used by some chiropractors, its actual use does vary significantly. 

PIM use strictly follows the physiotherapy model of spinal and joint mobilisation rather than the chiropractic activator philosophy. In short, a PIM-trained physiotherapist will treat you differently based on what physiotherapists strongly believe is a superior rationale. 

The development of the Physiotherapy Instrument Mobilisation (PIM) concept isbased on longstanding orthodox articular physiotherapy and osteopathic approaches. These including Kaltenborn's Nordic concave-convex methodology, Maitland's combined movements, Mulligan’s concepts of mobilisation with movement and positional faults, plus Osteopathic upslope/downslope or Type I or II dysfunction methodology.

As physiotherapists, we value methodologies and rationales that have sound scientific basis to assist you achieve your best result as quickly as possible. PIM is an approach that works extremely well when it is incorporated with other evidence-based treatment tools in your physiotherapist's holistic and multi-system clinical approach.

PIM assessment utilises physiotherapy palpation skills, neural tension testing and neuro testing to apply mobilising and manipulative techniques along clearly defined treatment planes with greater reliability, specificity and safety than other manual techniques.

Australian physiotherapists have found that PIM provides excellent outcomes for the TMJ, headaches, vertigo,  neck and back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, elbow and shoulder pain and foot pain such as plantar fasciitis just name a few.

If you haven't tried a PIM treatment approach and you are still suffering pain, we recommend that you seek the advice of a PIM-trained physiotherapist to see if they can assist you.