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Therapy for the flexor pollicis longus.

Starting Position: P: Supine; upper arm and elbow resting against thc couch or against T's abdomen or thigh; elbow flexed approximately 90° and forearm fully supinated; wrist in neutral position with thumb fully extended.

T: Standing with right side against P.

Grip: T's left hand grips P’s entire thumb from the volar side and extends it maximally. T’s right hand holds P's hand from the ulnar/volar aspect, index and middle finger around radial side of hand.

Fig. 51 a. Starting Position.

Procedurę: Using this grip, T gradually and fully supinates forearm and dorsal flexes at P's wrist.

Stimulation of Antagonists: T retains grip. T then asks P to move further in the direction of stretching, and resists that movement to stimulate P’s antagonists.

Notę: In anomalous cases where the flexor pollicis longus also originates from the medial epicondyle of the humerus, it will be necessary to fully extend P’s elbow to attain maximal stretching. Extension of P's thumb is morę restricted than when the elbow is flexed.

Fig. 51 b. Finał Position.

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