As stated in an earlier chapter, massage is merely a means to an end - the end being restoration of function. There are a few cases in which massage treatment alone suffices to attain it, and as a rule it is only in the earliest stages that treatment should cease simultaneously with the massage. In the treatment of a limb massage alone rarely, if ever, suffices; if we are treating an abdomen with massage and fail to prescribe some form of mobilisation, we are depriving our patient of the benefits of a potent remedy. For the paralysed, mobilisation is invaluable; even for heart cases active movement can always be prescribed with benefit, if it only consists of teaching the patient to maintain the tone of various muscle-groups by alternate contraction and relaxation.

Only when we wish to compel complete relaxation and to enforce rest on a nervous system which, in part or completely, refuses to rest, can massage alone be considered efficient without its complement - mobilisation. Even so, when we have succeeded in our attempt to secure relaxation - be it mental or physical - our work has only just begun; and we are then left with one of the most difficult tasks to accomplish, namely, the restoration of function in such a manner that all danger of return of the original symptoms is avoided. This is really a process of re-education of function - it may be even of mental function. For instance, it is no uncommon thing for a neurasthenic to be restored to health while in bed, but the moment physical exertion is allowed the patient relapses. This is often due to confusion in the patient's mind of the sensations due to physical fatigue and those which were endured as part of the original illness. A few words of warning and explanation may avert catastrophe should the sensations due to physical fatigue arise; while the onset of the fatigue can usually be avoided by an intelligent course of treatment by mobilisation.

It is essential in the first place that we should understand the full meaning of the expression "treatment by mobilisation." It consists of two main divisions: -

I. The administration of passive or relaxed movement. II. The prescription of active movement.