Seated Thoracic Extension - Partner Assisted

Is this for yourself or for a patient?

HOW: Get set up sitting in a chair with your partner behind you and to your side. Lace your fingers behind your neck and have your partner reach their front arm around your elevated elbows to support your arms and use them as a lever to assist with the motion. From here, have your partner place the palm of their hand in the middle of your back. As they push forward with their palm they will also pull your elbows up towards the ceiling to assist with promoting midback extension.

FEEL: For the individual having the mobilization performed, you should feel a comfortable stretch through the midback region. You should not feel any pain or discomfort.

COMPENSATION: For the individual having the mobilization performed on them, avoid trying to assist. This should be a passive motion meaning that your muscles are doing no work. For the individual performing the mobilization, anchor your partners closest shoulder into your chest/stomach to assist as a a pivot point. Avoid doing the lifting and mobilization with your arms.

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