Manual Therapy Techniques

Question 0

Upper Thoracic Rotation Mobilization

Answer 0

Utilize same hand placement as motion assessment
Mob 1: Press and hold superior SP into rotation as patient maximally rotates, stabilizing inferior vertebrae
Mob 2: Perform oscillations at end range of rotation

Question 1

Upper Thoracic Rotation Assessment

Answer 1

Place thumbs lateral to SP’s
Have patient maximally rotate neck
Assess quality and quantity of superior and lateral (“swinging”) motion of superior SP
Example:
-Place L thumb lateral to SP of L side of T1; R thumb lateral to R side of T2
-Have patient maximally rotate R
-Assess R rotation of T1 as SP moves L and superior

Question 2

Upper Thoracic PA’s in Supine

Answer 2

Place fingertips over TP’s
Mobilize TP’s anteriorly
Add rotation by mobilizing one TP only or one TP more than the other
Example:
-Mobilize L TP of T1 for R rotation of T1 on T2 or relative L rotation of C7 on T1