Mark,

Thank you. I think I realize where my confusion is coming from. I thought joint mobilizations (lower ones, like grades 1 and 2), were gentle manipulations.

The therapist is not doing any aggressive thrusting or twisting/quick turns of the neck. He is applying gentle pressure to encourage the joints to move. What he had me doing at home was the thing where they gently use a towel to the back of the neck to self-mobilize. Another exercise was while sitting, I leaned back on a soccer ball propped against the bed frame.

My neck/back are incredibly stiff from the injury, so it seems like any pressure at all, even very light, causes popping and cracking.

Can you elaborate on the differences for me? Thank you so much.