Upper Extremity Joint Mobilization

Glenohumeral Distraction

Patient supine. Stand at their side, facing toward their head. One hand underneath humerus at axilla and other on top lower humerus. Distract arm out to side (laterally)

Glenohumeral Caudal Glide
What help improve?

Patient supine. Support their forearm at your side. Both hands C-gripped on upper humerus. Apply force downward (towards their feet) by shifting weight towards their feet. Can also do it with their arm completely at 90

Abduction

Glenohumeral Elevation Glide
What help improve?

Patient seated with arm abducted and externally rotated. Support patients arm in your armpit, grasping the humerus with a C-grp. Push the arm in


Increase elevation

Glenohumeral Posterior (Resting) Glide
What helps with?

Patient supine. Their arm slightly abducted and supporting their arm next to your body/under the armpit. Palm of hand on head of humerus pushing down towards the table.

Flexion, and IR

Glenohumeral Posterior (Progression) Glide

Patient supine. Wrap a belt around the patients bicep and around the bottom of physical therapist bum. Shoulder will be in flexion, and elbow bent (Horiz Add). Add tension to the belt by stepping back, and push down on the patients elbow for posterior glide.

Horiz ADD

Glenohumeral Anterior Glide
What help with?

Patient prone, arm relaxing off table onto therapists propped up leg. One hand C-grip lower humerus and other at humeral head. Push force down into the table.

Extension, and ER

Glenohumeral Distraction for External Rotation

Patient supine. Arm supported next to body underneath armpit, and their arm is fully ER (palm up). Cradle arm with one hand underneath distal humerus and other on humeral head (elbow can relax on patients chest). Direct force laterally (out to side)

Acromioclavicular Joint Anterior Glide
What help with?

Patient seated. Stand behind the patient, one patient stabilizing the acromion/shoulder and other with hand positioned on the clavicle. Thumb will push the clavicle anteriorly (forward)

Creates space

Sternoclavicular Joint Posterior and Superior Glide
What help with?

Patient supine. One hand can rest on shoulder, the arm hand using thumb to push down on the clavicle (posterior glide) and index finger pushing up (superior glide)

Posterior glide - retraction
Superior glide - clavicle depression

Sternoclavicular Joint Anterior and Inferior Glide
What help with?

Patient supine. Grasp the clavicle with both hands, moving it anteriorly (pull up) and inferiorly (downward to feet)

Anterior glide - protraction
Inferior glide- clavicle elevation

Scapulothoracic articulation

Patient sidelying face you. Grip the inferior angle of the scapula with one hand and the other hand on anterior shoulder. Move scapula around.

Humeroulnar Joint Distraction

Patient supine with elbow flexed. Grip the patients forearm below the elbow with both hands, focusing on the ulna. “Scoop” the ulna to perform the distraction

Humeroradial Joint Distraction

Patient supine. Slightly abduct patient arm and position inside their arm close to hip. Stabilize distal humerus with one hand, elbow slightly flexed. Then with other hand grip the radius and pull

Humeroradial Joint Dorsal and Palmar Glides
What help improve?

Patient supine with arm resting on the table supine. Grip the patients upper radius with both arms, pronating and supinating.

Dorsal (posterior glide) - extension
Palmar (anterior glide) - flexion

Humeroradial Joint Compression Manipulation

Patient supine. Arm resting on table slightly abducted, elbow flexed. Cradle underneath the elbow with one hand. Other hand locked on patients hand. By down and rotate (supinate) the arm.

Proximal Radioulnar Joint Dorsal and Palmar Glides

Patient seated forearm relaxed on table. Their other hand supporting their own wrist. Elbow slightly flexed and use palm of hand on radius to push into pronation or supination.

Dorsal glide (rotate palm up) - pronation
Palmar glide (rotate palm down) - supination

Distal Radioulnar Joint Supination or Pronation
What help with?

Patient seated. Forearm rested on the table, arm in neutral. Grasp around patients distal wrist, cupping it with bond hands. One hand will stabilize the ulna and the other will be moving the radius.

Dorsal glide - supination
Palmar glide - pronation

Wrist Joint Distraction

Patient seated. Forearm rested on table with towel beneath the wrist. Stabilize the patients forearm, and with the other arm C-grip the patients wrist. Pull outward

Wrist Joint Mobilization
What this help (dorsal and palmar glides)?

Patient seated. Forearm rested on table with towel beneath the wrist. Stabilize the patients forearm, and with the other arm C-grip the patients wrist. Pull outward and flex or extend the patients wrist.

Dorsal glide (aka carpals up) - flexion
Palmar glide - extension

Wrist Joint Ulnar Glide
What help improve?

Patient seated. Forearm rested on table with towel underneath wrist. Patient hand facing the side (thumb up). Stabilize patients distal forearm, and C-grip patients wrist. Pull outward and down for ulnar deviation.

Radial deviation

Carpal Mobilizations

Patient seated, forearm resting on table with palm down. Hold patients hand, push down on carpal bone with thumb over thumb

Carpometacarpal joint distraction

Patient seated, forearm resting on table with wrist off the table. Stabilize patients wrist with one hand. The other grasping the patients hand. Use both thumbs to meet together and pull the CMC joint

CMC of Thumb

Patient seated, forearm rested on table with wrist on towel. Stabilize wrist either on top or underneath. Gras patients thumb and perform joint mobilization of thumb in different directions.

Metacarpophalangeal Joint Distraction

Patient seated, forearm resting on table with wrist off the table. Stabilize patients midhand with one hand. The other grasping the patients finger. Use both hands to stabilize and pull finger.

MCP Palmar and Dorsal Glide
What help with?

Patient seated, forearm resting on table with wrist off the table. Stabilize patients midhand with one hand. The other grasping the patients finger. Pull finger out and pushing MCP towards the palm (palmar glide)

Palmar - Flexion
Dorsal - Extension