The Maitland concept is a manual therapy examination and treatment concept developed by the Australian physiotherapist Geoffrey Maitland. It focuses on a detailed clinical reasoning strategy and the application of passive movements to joints.
Characteristic is the classification of passive mobilisations into five grades (I to V), based on range of motion, end-feel and pain. Grades I and II are mainly used for pain relief, grades III and IV for mobilisation, and grade V as a high-velocity manipulation. Assessment and treatment are closely interlinked and continuously adapted based on the patient's response.