What distinguishes active range of motion from passive range of motion?

Active range of motion refers to the movement that a patient can produce voluntarily using their own muscle strength. This type of motion is crucial for assessing the functional capabilities of a joint, as it involves the active engagement of the patient's muscles and nervous system to facilitate the movement. It reflects the patient's ability to control and coordinate their movements, an important aspect in physical examinations and rehabilitation assessments.

In contrast, passive range of motion is when the examiner or therapist moves the joint without any effort by the patient. This helps to assess the flexibility and integrity of the joint structures, but it does not provide information about the patient's strength or voluntary motor control.

While passive movements can sometimes be painful, this is not a defining characteristic of passive range of motion, hence it cannot serve as a distinguishing feature. Similarly, the presence or absence of examiner effort does not specifically delineate active from passive forms of movement. Understanding these distinctions is essential for a comprehensive evaluation of joint function in osteopathic practice.