The Factor of Time in the Clinical Approach To produce an effective articular adjustment, it is first necessary to evaluate the degree of joint motions and end plays present. Adjustive ojectives are generally achieved by dynamic manual articular mobilization unless such a technic is contraindicated in a specific situation. Correct application takes time. In addition, traumatized and pathologic tissues characteristically have low endurance and high biomechanical fatigue properties. These form a substantial part of the scientific foundation of our art.
Neuromusculoskeletal tissues are organic viscoelastic substances.
All musculoskeletal structures, thus, have a time-dependent stability factor, which is usually structurally adapted to in living tissue if the time element is prolonged. We witness this in bone with the trabecular redesign from chronic stress according to Wolff's law. What is true for bone is true in all viscoelastic substance to a variable degree. The combined components of viscosity and elasticity allow relaxation and creep, and both are a function of time. The viscoelastic nature of IVDs and other joint connective tissue therefore offers time-dependent properties such as fatigue and hysteresis.