Staff Reference · New Hire Guide

On the Table Assessment Protocol

A 12-step visual assessment every CNU Stretch Therapist runs at the start of a session. Target time: 7 minutes. Formerly known as the 10-Point Assessment.

Visual only — no goniometer required. Note compensations verbally, do not correct during the assessment.

Seated Phase · Steps 1–3 Supine Phase · Steps 4–12 7-Minute Target

Seated Phase

Supine Phase

Step Number

▸ LOOK FOR — compensation to observe · ▸ MEANS — overactive muscle / clinical note

● Seated Phase

Steps 1–3 · Client sitting at edge of table

Thoracic Rotation

Seated

Long side of table · Feet shoulder-width apart · Fingers interlaced behind head

▸ Look for Rotate each side — watch for elbow dropping in OR hip hiking to gain range

▸ Means Goal: elbow reaches at least in line with opposite knee (~45° or more)

Cervical Rotation

Seated

Same seated position · Therapist stands at client's shoulder

▸ Look for Watch for chin reaching just in front of shoulder (~80°). Note if range is severely limited

▸ Means Goal: chin clears the shoulder. Note shoulder compensation — record verbally, don't correct

Modified Thomas Test

Seated

Sit at edge of table as if doing the Reacher · Hold one knee · Fall back — butt must hang at table edge so the knee clears freely

▸ Look for Observe the resting (non-held) leg:
A — Thigh lifts off table · B — Knee extends past 90° · C — Foot internally rotates

▸ Means A = overactive Psoas · B = overactive Quads · C = overactive TFL

● Supine Phase

Steps 4–12 · Client lying face-up on table

Leg Length Test

Supine

Lying supine · Drive both knees to chest · Therapist pulls feet gently together to see the length of the legs

▸ Look for Check ankle/foot alignment — do the feet hang evenly?

▸ Means Discrepancy may indicate leg length difference or pelvic tilt. Use ankle as reference point

Straight Leg / Hip Flexion

Supine

Lying supine · Therapist lifts leg passively (passive hamstring stretch)

▸ Look for Can the femur reach 90° perpendicular to the table?

▸ Means Short of 90° = limited hip flexion / tight hamstrings

Dorsiflexion

Supine

Bent-knee supine · Bend knee to ~45° · Pull foot toward shin. Tell client: "Let me know when you feel the stretch"

▸ Look for From zero (foot at 90° to tibia) — how much additional dorsiflexion is available?

▸ Means Goal: 10–20° past neutral. Most clients have very little available movement here

Hip Internal Rotation

Supine

Lying supine · Side-roll test

▸ Look for Observe how far the hip rolls inward on each side — looking for approximately 30° of hip internal rotation

▸ Means Limited internal rotation → reduced hip mobility / potential lower-back compensation

Hip External Rotation

Supine

Lying supine · Butterfly position — feet together on table, knees fall outward

▸ Look for Thigh at ~45° angle to the table

▸ Means Limited range → tight adductors / restricted hip capsule

Arm Length

Supine

Lying supine · Arms extend out to a T · Clap hands above chest

▸ Look for Do the hands meet evenly at centre? Use wrists as reference if finger anatomy varies

▸ Means Discrepancy = possible shoulder/thoracic asymmetry or arm length difference

Shoulder Flexion

Supine

Lying supine · Arms overhead toward table

▸ Look for Can both arms reach the table? Is the low back arching off the table?

▸ Means Arms not reaching table = limited shoulder flexion / lat tightness

Shoulder Internal Rotation

Supine

Lying supine · Upper arm at 90°, forearm perpendicular to floor · Rotate forearm toward table (palm down)

▸ Look for How close does the forearm get to the table?

▸ Means Limited = overactive posterior capsule / external rotators

Shoulder External Rotation

Supine

Lying supine · Same start position · Rotate forearm away from body (palm up)

▸ Look for How close does the forearm get to the table on the external side?

▸ Means Limited = overactive internal rotators / pec minor / subscapularis

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Key Reminders

Keep it verbal — note what you observe, don't correct it during the assessment. · Upload findings to the client's profile. · Practice often. · Target: 7 minutes (currently averaging 7–8 min).