Shoulder Mobilizations
Shoulder Mobilizations
Shoulder Mobilizations
Anterior-Posterior GH Mobilization
(High Grade)
Position pt. supine with humerus to be mobilized at the
edge of the table
PT to stabilize the pt.s distal extremity, while placing
other hand over the anterior proximal humerus
PT then provides a force in an A-P direction, starting with
grade 1 and working up to grade 4 as pt. tolerates
Parameters: 8-10 reps (at each grade) hold each mob
for 3 seconds
Note: The pt.s arm should be abducted to the barrier in
motion OR to the pt.s first point of pain, but then backed
off until pain free (if taken to the point of pain, the force
generated by the PT should be less then if no pain
present)
Anterior-Posterior GH
Mobilization
A-P GH Mobilization (Low
Grade)
Position pt. supine with humerus to be
mobilized at the edge of the table, pt.s forearm
and hand resting on their stomach
PT will use both hands (fingertips on anterior
humeral head and thumbs on posterior humeral
head)
PT then provides a force in an A-P direction,
starting with grade 1 and working up to grade 3
as pt. tolerates
Parameters: 8-10 reps (at each grade) hold
each mob for 3 seconds
A-P GH mobilization (Low
Grade)
AC A-P Mobilization
Pt. lies supine with side to be mobilized towards
the edge of the table
PT places one hand under the shoulder, over the
scapula to stabilize it The pisiform of the other
hand is placed directly over the distal end of the
clavicle at the AC jt., perpendicular to the table so
the force is directed straight down
PT then provides a force in an A-P direction,
starting with grade 1 and working up to grade 4
as pt. tolerates
Parameters: 8-10 reps (at each grade) hold each
mob for 3 seconds
AC A-P Mobilization
AC Inferior Mobilization
Pt. positioned supine with arms at the side
PT sits at the head of the pt. with both
thumbs positioned over the superior
surface of the distal clavicle, adjacent to
the AC Jt.
PT then provides a force in an superior to
inferior direction, starting with grade 1 and
working up to grade 4 as pt. tolerates
Parameters: 8-10 reps (at each grade)
hold each mob for 3 seconds
AC Inferior Mobilization
Inferior GH Glide in
Abduction
Pt. lies supine with side to be mobilized towards the edge of the
table, arm abducted off the side of the table
Pt.s neck is laterally flexed toward the side receiving the mob (to
slacken the nerves)
PT stands in lunge position superiorly to the pt.s shoulder: one
hand grasps around pt.s elbow (holding it in slight flexion), the web
space of the other hand is around the proximal humerus
PT then provides a force to the proximal humerus in an inferior
direction, while simultaneously abducting further starting with
grade 1 and working up to grade 4 as pt. tolerates
Parameters: 8-10 reps (at each grade) hold each mob for 3
seconds
Note: The pt.s arm should be abducted to the barrier in motion OR
to the pt.s first point of pain, but then backed off until pain free (if
taken to the point of pain, the force generated by the PT should
cause no more than minor discomfort)
Inferior GH Glide in
Abduction
Inferior GH Glide in Flexion
Pt. lies supine with side to be mobilized towards the edge of the
table
PT stands in lunge position superiorly to the pt.s shoulder: one
hand grasps around pt.s distal humerus (holding the elbow in
90 degrees flexion), the web space of the other hand is around
the proximal humerus
PT then provides a force to the proximal humerus in an inferior
direction, while simultaneously flexing further starting with
grade 1 and working up to grade 4 as pt. tolerates
Parameters: 8-10 reps (at each grade) hold each mob for 3
seconds
Note: The pt.s arm should be flexed to the barrier in motion OR
to the pt.s first point of pain, but then backed off until pain free
(if taken to the point of pain, the force generated by the PT
should cause no more than minor discomfort)
Inferior GH Glide in Flexion
Clavicle Rotation
Pt. positioned supine with arms at the side
Stand near the pt.s shoulder, facing towards the
clavicle
Gently grip the middle of the clavicle using your
thumbs on the inferior surface and fingertips on
the superior surface
Apply a gentile mobilization force using a rocking
or wiggling motion through repetitive wrist
flexion and extension to impart rotation of the
clavicle on its long axis
Parameters: 8-10 reps each grade (up to grade 3)
Clavicle Rotation
FABER P-A mobilization
Pt. starts prone with arm to be mobilized flexed, abducted,
and ER (Forehead resting on the dorsum of the hand)
PT stands by the head of the pt. on the side to be mobilized.
PT places the thumbs and web spaces of both hands on the
posterior proximal humerus, fingers are wrapped around the
anterior surface
PT then provides a P-A force starting with grade 1 and
working up to grade 4 as pt. tolerates
Parameters: 8-10 reps (at each grade) hold each mob for 3
seconds
Note: The pt.s arm should be flexed/Abd to the barrier in
motion OR to the pt.s first point of pain, but then backed off
until pain free (if taken to the point of pain, the force
generated by the PT should cause no more than minor
discomfort)
FABER P-A mobilization
GH External Rotation
Pt. lies supine with side to be mobilized towards the edge of
the table, arm is abducted up to 90 degrees (as pt. can
tolerate) and elbow is flexed to 90 degrees
PT stands facing the pt.s head and stabilizes the pt.s elbow
with one hand, while grasping the wrist with the other (grasp
bony prominences at the elbow and wrist)
PT slowly externally rotates the pt.s shoulder until pt.
discomfort or tissue resistance is met; hold for 3-5 seconds
and then back off.
Repeat up to 30x, and try to move the shoulder a little
further each time as the tissues relax.