Manipulation and mobilisation are treatments where a joint or vertebra is released to function in its own, physiologically characteristic movement scope.

Manipulation is utilised to passively move the joint to its outermost position, and then an indirect power impulse is directed at it. As a result, the joint or vertebra momentarily overextends its limited physiological movement scope, which can be heard as a 'click': the often heard 'clicking' sound in manipulation is a result of the rapid release of the hollow void that forms within the vertebra joint. The manipulation itself is always performed within the natural, physiological movement scope of the joint: this way, the body's natural supporting structure, mostly the ligaments, guide the joint to its correct position, and also protect it during the manipulation.

Mobilisation is a movement treatment. With repetition, the movement scope of the joint is increased either passively by the practitioner or actively by the patient. The aim of mobilisation is to stretch mostly the joint capsule and the ligaments in the joints, and to increase the metabolism of the joint so that it will be better provided with the nutrition it needs. This way, the joints stay better and healthier for longer.

Manipulation and mobilisation are almost always utilised together: only with effective and concentrated manipulation and mobilisation can the base problems of the joint or vertebra be removed. An effortlessly moving joint is a painless joint, and to be able to achieve this, manipulation alone is not enough.