Standing at the long edge of the bench on the contralateral to be examined/treated
Position of the patient:
Upright sitting position at the short edge of the bench
Patient’s shoulder a little lower as the therapist’s shoulder
Patient crosses arms in front of the chest
Hand placement:
Establish contact with the patient’s back on the contralateral side by moving the arm between the patient’s crossed arms
Base of the hand on spinous process of L5
Patient slouches against the fixation
Movement:
Maximal homonymous 3D movement with equal components of flexion, ipsilateral lateral flexion and ipsilateral rotation
To test each component of intervertebral motion, slightly move out of the end-range and now test flexion between L4 and L5 by pushing the spinous process of L5 ventrocaudally with the base of your hand or with a pinch-grip
To assess rotation, move on to the ipsilateral arch of L5 and move it ventrally with the thumb
For the lateral flexion component, place the thumb ipsilaterally between the spinous processes of L4 and L5 and move the patient’s lumbar spine into lateral flexion with the other hand
