The document describes several shoulder joint mobilization techniques including glenohumeral anterior glide, glenohumeral posterior glide, glenohumeral inferior glide, acromioclavicular joint anterior glide, and scapular mobilization. It also describes sternoclavicular joint superior/inferior and anterior/posterior glides. For each technique, it provides the purpose, positioning of the patient, and description of the mobilization movement. The overall purpose of these techniques is to increase mobility and range of motion in the shoulder joint.

1. 8 Therapeutic Exercise: Moving Toward Function
DISPLAY 7-2
Shoulder Joint Mobilization
Glenohumeral Anterior Glide
Purpose: to increase shoulder external rotation and extension
Position: patient is prone with shoulder at edge of table and
abducted to 90 degrees, elbow flexed to 90 degrees;
mobilizing hand on posterior humeral head while stabilizing
hand holds mid-humerus
Mobilization: anterior force applied by mobilizing hand to
humeral head while stabilizing hand applies gentle traction
Glenohumeral Posterior Glide
Purpose: to increase shoulder flexion and internal rotation
Position: patient is supine with the shoulder at the edge of the
table, scapula stabilized by the table or towel roll; abducted
to 45 degrees and elbow slightly flexed; mobilizing hand on
anterior humeral head and stabilizing hand supporting elbow
Mobilization: posterior force applied by mobilizing hand to
humeral head while stabilizing hand applies gentle traction
Glenohumeral Inferior Glide
Purpose: to increase shoulder abduction and flexion
Position: patient is supine with the arm in 30 degrees to 45
degrees abduction; stabilizing hand supports scapula in axilla
while mobilizing hand grasps distal humerus
Mobilization: inferior force applied by mobilizing hand while
stabilizing hand holds scapula steady
Acromioclavicular Joint Anterior Glide
Purpose: to increase joint mobility
Position: patient is positioned sitting; stabilize the scapula with
thumb along the scapular spine and fingers along acromion;
mobilizing hand placed on posterior clavicle near joint line
Mobilization: mobilizing hand imposes an anterior force on the
clavicle
Sternoclavicular Joint Superior/Inferior and Anterior/
Posterior Glides
Purpose: superior glide increases depression, whereas
inferior glide increases elevation; anterior glide increases
protraction, whereas posterior glide increases retraction
Position: patient is supine with the stabilizing hand on the
sternum and the mobilizing thumb or thumb and index finger
on the proximal clavicle
Mobilization: superior glide: the index finger applies a superior
force to clavicle
inferior glide: thumb applies an inferior force to clavicle
anterior glide: thumb and index finger lift the clavicle
posterior glide: thumb applies a posterior force to clavicle
Scapular Mobilization
Purpose: to increase mobility at the scapulothoracic articulation
Position: patient is in prone; superior hand is along scapular
spine while inferior hand grasps inferior angle of the scapula
Mobilization: mobilize the scapula in elevation, depression,
adduction, abduction, or rotation by pushing the appropriate
direction
Hall & Brody: Therapeutic Exercise: Moving Toward Function, 2nd Edition
© 2005, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins
0350 ch 07-BOX 10/11/04 03:43 PM Page 8