Which hand placements are used to support the arm during ROM of the shoulder?

• A. One hand under the elbow and one under the wrist
• B. One hand on the shoulder and the other on the chest
• C. One hand on the forearm and the other on the hip
• D. Both hands under the arm

Answer: (A)

During shoulder ROM, the arm needs to be supported along its length so the movement is controlled and safe. Placing one hand under the elbow and the other under the wrist gives stable, two-point support: you can guide the arm from the proximal end while also controlling the distal end, keeping the arm aligned with the body and reducing stress on the shoulder joint.

Other placements don’t provide the same stability. A hand on the shoulder and another on the chest can’t adequately fix the arm in place and may cause unwanted trunk movement or pressure on the chest. A hand on the forearm and the other on the hip creates uneven leverage and doesn’t give proper control of the elbow and wrist. Having both hands under the arm alone can leave the forearm and wrist unsupported, making it harder to maintain alignment and control during the movement.