Hey, do you have elbows? Can they supinate and pronate? If you are unsure, then let’s assess!

Supination and pronation occur at the elbow and forearm. Specifically, the movement occurs when we turn the palm up and down. This movement is commonly performed when turning a key, pouring wine and while playing tennis. 

Clinically this motion loss or dysfunction is usually associated with tennis elbow. Also, if the movement is limited or dysfunctional it may cause increased stress upstairs at the shoulder or downstairs at the wrist.

ASSESSMENT

Assessment Key Points:

• Do not rotate at shoulder or torso

• Do not extend wrist, keep it straight 

• If you feel pain, then you will benefit from a PT consultation 

If you passed this test, then excellent job! if you found maintaining your shoulder or wrist position difficult, then I would highly recommend going through the next exercises. However if the test was easy, then go right to the motor control.

MOBILIZATION

This will be the typical 2 part mobilization. First we will massage the soft tissues of the forearm extensors, then we will mobilize the joints of the elbow. Perform each for 1 minute.. or more if it feels good.

Soft Tissue Option #1

Soft Tissue Option #2

Joint Mobilization

MOTOR CONTROL

Immediately following mobility work, we need to teach the body and the brain how to use the new range of motion or hold these new positions. If we did not do this extra step you will not maintain the gains. Use something in the ball park of 1 to 5 lbs. Perform 2-3 rounds of 10-15 reps. The focus should be on controlled, slow movements.

Happy Sunday.