Joint Mobilizations: Upper Body (Self-administered)

This course describes self-administered joint mobilization techniques for the upper body (also referred to as joint mobility techniques, joint mobilisations, joint mobs, joint mob, or mobz). The upper body joint mobilization techniques included in this course are intended for the shoulder joint (glenohumeral joint), elbow joint (humeroulnar joint, ulnohumeral or trochlear joint), proximal radioulnar joint, sternocostal joints, thoracic spine, and lumbar spine.

Joint mobilization techniques are recommended for joints assessed as stiff and should not be considered solely as treatment for addressing chronic pain. The intent is to increase joint mobility and regain optimal upper body movement. Unlike manual therapy, self-administered techniques have the advantage of inclusion in therapeutic exercise programs, corrective exercise programs, home exercise programs, and continued self-management routines. In addition to improving mobility and arthrokinematics motion, research has demonstrated that addressing joint stiffness may have an immediate effect on assessed muscle weakness, improving muscle activity, and muscle strength during functional activity.

The joint mobilization techniques in this course may be particularly beneficial for improving the quality of motion of those individuals exhibiting poor posture, upper body dysfunction, rounded shoulder posture, thoracic kyphosis, and forward head posture. As well as, treatment for chronic pain and specific joint issues such as shoulder pain, frozen shoulder, recovery from rotator cuff tears and upper body muscle strains, tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis), hand pain, etc. Sports medicine professionals (personal trainers, fitness instructors, physical therapists, massage therapists, chiropractors, occupational therapists, athletic trainers, etc.) should consider adding these exercises to their repertoire to improve the outcomes of their integrated exercise programs and therapeutic (rehabilitation) interventions.

For additional self-administered joint mobilization techniques check out:

• Joint Mobilizations: Lower Body (Self-administered)

For manual therapy versions of the techniques in this course check out:

• Joint Mobilization: Cervical Spine
• Joint Mobilization: Thoracic Spine
• Joint Mobilization: Lumber Spine
• Joint Mobilization: Sacroiliac Joint
• Joint Mobilization: Shoulder Joint, Acromioclavicular Joint, and Sternoclavicular Joint
• Joint Mobilization: Elbow and Proximal Radioulnar Joint

Pre-approved credits for:

• Human Movement Specialist (HMS) Certification
• Integrated Manual Therapist (IMT) Certification

Pre-approved for Continuing Education Credits for:

• Athletic Trainers
• Chiropractors
• Group Exercise Instructors
• Massage Therapists
• Occupational Therapists - Intermediate
• Personal Trainers
• Physical Therapists
• Physical Therapy Assistants
• Yoga Instructors

This Course Includes:

• AI Tutor
• Study Guide
• Text and Illustrations
• Audio Voice-over
• Research Review
• Technique Videos
• Practice Exam
• Pre-approved Final Exam

Cervical and thoracic spine

1. Mohamed, A. A., Shendy, W. S., Semary, M., Mourad, H. S., Battecha, K. H., Soliman, E. S., … & Mohamed, G. I. (2019). Combined use of cervical headache snag and cervical snag half rotation techniques in the treatment of cervicogenic headache. Journal of physical therapy science, 31(4), 376-381.
2. Hall, T., Chan, H. T., Christensen, L., Odenthal, B., Wells, C., & Robinson, K. (2007). Efficacy of a C1-C2 self-sustained natural apophyseal glide (SNAG) in the management of cervicogenic headache. journal of orthopaedic & sports physical therapy, 37(3), 100-107.
3. Reid, S. A., Rivett, D. A., Katekar, M. G., & Callister, R. (2014). Comparison of mulligan sustained natural apophyseal glides and maitland mobilizations for treatment of cervicogenic dizziness: a randomized controlled trial. Physical therapy, 94(4), 466-476.
4. Oh, H. T., & Hwangbo, G. (2018). The effect of short-term upper thoracic self-mobilization using a Kaltenborn wedge on pain and cervical dysfunction in patients with neck pain. Journal of physical therapy science, 30(4), 486-489.
5. Nakamaru, K., Aizawa, J., Kawarada, K., Uemura, Y., Koyama, T., & Nitta, O. (2019). Immediate effects of thoracic spine self-mobilization in patients with mechanical neck pain: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of bodywork and movement therapies, 23(2), 417-424.
6. Hwangbo, P. N., Hwangbo, G., Park, J., & Lee, S. (2014). The effect of thoracic joint mobilization and self-stretching exercise on pulmonary functions of patients with chronic neck pain. Journal of physical therapy science, 26(11), 1783-1786.
7. Jung, J. H., & Moon, D. C. (2015). The effect of thoracic region self-mobilization on chest expansion and pulmonary function. Journal of physical therapy science, 27(9), 2779-2781.
   • Lumbar Spine and Sacroiliac Joint
8. Schenk, R. J., Jozefczyk, C., & Kopf, A. (2003). A randomized trial comparing interventions in patients with lumbar posterior derangement. Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy, 11(2), 95-102.
9. Machado, L. A., Maher, C. G., Herbert, R. D., Clare, H., & McAuley, J. H. (2010). The effectiveness of the McKenzie method in addition to first-line care for acute low back pain: a randomized controlled trial. BMC medicine, 8(1), 10.
10. Widberg, K., Hossein, K., & Hafstrom, I. Self & Manual Mobilization in Men With Ankylosing Spondylitis.
11. Nejati, P., Safarcherati, A., & Karimi, F. (2019). Effectiveness of Exercise Therapy and Manipulation on Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Pain physician, 22(1), 53-61.
12. Antonelli, G., Outi, M. Y., Muller, B. G., Binda, A. C., Ruaro, J. A., & Fréz, A. R. (2018). Muscle energy technique on non-specific knee pain associated with sacroiliac dysfunction. Manual Therapy, Posturology & Rehabilitation Journal, 14, 0-0.
    • Upper Extremity Joints
13. Ribeiro, D. C., Sole, G., Venkat, R., & Shemmell, J. (2017). Differences between clinician-and self-administered shoulder sustained mobilization on scapular and shoulder muscle activity during shoulder abduction: a repeated-measures study on asymptomatic individuals. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 30, 25-33.
    • Regional Interdependence between Scapula and Elbow
14. Ayhan, C., Camci, E., & Baltaci, G. (2015). Distal radius fractures result in alterations in scapular kinematics: A three-dimensional motion analysis. Clinical Biomechanics.
15. Day, J. M., Bush, H., Nitz, A. J., & Uhl, T. L. (2015). Scapular Muscle Performance in Individuals With Lateral Epicondylalgia. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, (Early Access), 1-35