Costotransversal/Costovertebral Joints

Costae T2-T12:

 

Position of the therapist:

• Standing at the long edge of the bench on the opposite side to be examined/treated

Position of the patient:

• Prone lying position
• Head rotated towards the side to be examined/treated
• Arm of that side hanging off of the edge of the treatment bench so that the scapula protracts and makes room for the therapist’s hands

Hand placement costae 2-7:

• Hypothenar aspect of fixating hand is placed on the heterolateral transverse process of the segment to be examined as well as the segment above
• Using a cross grip, the hypothenar aspect of the working hand is placed on the angulus costae
• Forearm points into ventral, lateral and caudal direction

Hand placement costae 8-12:

• Handplacement switched
• Forearm points into ventral, lateral and cranial direction

Movement:

• Costae 2-7: Ventral, lateral, and caudal
• Costae 8-12: Ventral, lateral, and cranial