The Shoulder

Technique:

• The patient adopts the same sitting position as for palpation
• The therapist stands behind the patient and identifies the painful area.
• The indexfinger of the ipsilateral hand is placed exactly on the tender ligament at the joint line; the middle finger reinforces the pressure.
• Counter-pressure is given with the thumb at the back of the shoulder, placed well vertically under the fingers.
• The friction is started with the fingertips at the anterior portion of the ligament. During the active movement of the friction, the index finger, together with the skin is pulled backwards towards the therapist .
• The passive movement is when the pressure is somewhat released and the finger (together with the underlying skin) brought back to the starting position.
• The alternating active and passive phases are executed at 60-100 movements per minute for about 15-20 minutes.