Which is a described aim of AAROM after tissue manipulation?

• A. Reduce fear avoidance behavior
• B. Increase joint lubrication
• C. Re-educate neuromuscular pathways
• D. All three: reduce fear avoidance behavior, increase joint lubrication, and re-educate neuromuscular pathways

Answer: (D)

The aim of AAROM after tissue manipulation is to restore safe, functional movement by having the patient actively participate while the clinician provides controlled assistance. This keeps joints moving enough to promote lubrication and nutrient exchange in the joint, helping reduce stiffness and maintain tissue health. It also uses graded, guided movement to expose the patient to motion without provoking pain, which helps lessen fear-avoidant behaviors around movement. Additionally, the repetitive, coached movements retrain proprioceptive input and motor patterns, supporting re-education of neuromuscular pathways. For these reasons, the described aims include reducing fear-avoidance behavior, increasing joint lubrication, and re-educating neuromuscular pathways.