Massage Therapy Journal Spring 2025

34 • Massage Therapy Journal

AMTA Continuing Education

Joint Movement Terminology • Flexion: A movement that decreases the angle of a joint. • Extension: A movement that increases the angle of a joint. • Abduction: A movement that pulls a body part away from the midline of the body. • Adduction: A movement that pulls a body part toward the midline of the body. • Medial (internal) rotation: A movement that rotates a body part toward the midline. • Lateral (external) rotation: A movement that rotates a body part away from the midline. • Elevation: A movement of a body part in a superior direction. • Depression: A movement of a body part in an inferior direction. • Protraction: A movement of a body part anteriorly. • Retraction: A movement of a body part posteriorly.

• Upward rotation of the scapula: A movement of the scapulothoracic joint complex where the acromion process of the scapula moves superiorly. • Downward rotation of the scapula: A movement of the scapulothoracic joint complex where the acromion process of the scapula moves inferiorly. • Pronation: A movement that rotates the forearm so the palm is facing posterior. • Supination: A movement that rotates the forearm so the palm is facing anterior. • Dorsiflexion: A movement of the ankle so the foot moves superiorly. • Plantarflexion: A movement of the ankle so the foot moves inferiorly. • Eversion: A movement of the foot so the lateral side of the foot moves superiorly. • Inversion: A movement of the foot so the medial side of the foot moves superiorly. • Lateral flexion: A movement of the spine away from the midline.

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