Cervical Upglide Mobilization

Cervical Upglide Mobilization Purpose: If the patient is found to be hypomobile with the quick test (downglide), the upglide technique can be used to mobilize the segment. Step 1: 0:42 Stand at the head of the table with patient lying in supine. Note: the table must be lower than in the quick test in order to provide adequate mobilization force. Holding the pts head in slight flexion, palpate to find the spinous process of the hypomobile segment. Step 2: 1:00 Place the proximal phalanx of your index finger against the lamina OPPOSITE the side you will be mobilizing on the SEGMENT BELOW the hypomobile segment. Apply a caudal/medial force (as you did in the quick test) until you reach an end feel and hold this position. This will be your STABILIZING hand. IE. When mobilizing the left facet joint of C2 on C3 into upglide, you will hold a downglide of the right facet joint of C3 on C4. Step 3: 1:30 Keeping the proximal phalanx of your MOBILIZING hand on the lamina of the side you are mobilizing, move your body to the opposite corner of the table. You can use the thumb of your STABILIZING hand to hold the patients chin and maintain upper cervical flexion. Step 4: 1:45 Squatting down, place the elbow of your stabilizing arm against your ASIS to stabilize. Keep the elbow of your MOBILIZING arm in full extension, and retract your shoulder to apply a superior/medial force to the facet joint you are mobilizing. Grade your force and apply for a cumulative 90-150 seconds. Evidence: Gross et al., 2010. Leaver et al., 2010.