Rotation is a circular movement by which the different joints are brought into motion within their natural limits.

I. Rotation of the Feet may be performed with the patient in a sitting or half-lying position.

In the first position, the operator sits in front of the patient and, taking the feet in his lap, grasps the toes and moves the feet outward, describing a circle. In the second position, the patient is half-lying, his feet resting on the couch or bed. The operator grasps the toes and proceeds with the same motion as above. Relax the muscles, if necessary, by shaking the toes.

The rotation of the feet is intended to promote circulation in the lower extremities and is often used for attracting the blood from other parts. The movement is performed fifteen to thirty times. The strength of the motion depends upon the size of the circle described. (Passive.)

II. Rotation of the Foot. - The operator, sitting in front of the patient, takes the heel in his left hand and, grasping the toes with the right, performs a rotatory motion from the ankle, pressing the foot forward. Ten to fifteen times in each series. It is used principally for deformities and affections of the feet. (Passive.)

III. Rotation of the Leg. - The patient is in a half-lying position. The operator, placing one hand on the sole of the foot and the other below the knee, with the thumbs inward, raises the leg and performs a circular motion by the hip-joint, pressing upward, inward and outward. Twelve to fifteen times on each limb. It is used to regulate the circulation of the abdominal organs and to prevent stiffness in the hip-joint. (Passive or Active.)

IV. Rotation of the Arms. - The patient sitting. The operator, standing behind, grasps the extended arms below the elbows and rotates them upward and outward. The patient may also be in a standing position, in which case the operator must support him with his chest. It is used principally to assist respiration and circulation. (Passive or Active.)

V. Rotation of the Shoulder. - The patient sitting or standing. The operator, putting one hand on the shoulder-joint and the other below the elbow, rotates upward and outward. Fifteen to twenty times. The movement is used for stiffness in the joint and for inflammation of certain muscles. (Passive.)

VI. Rotation of the Hand. - The operator takes the patient's hand, and, grasping the wrist with his free hand, rotates from side to side. Ten to eighteen times. It is used for stiffness in the wrist after fractures of the arm; also to increase the circulation. (Passive.)

VII. Rotation of the Head.-The patient sitting with the back supported. The operator, placing one hand on the forehead and the other on the neck, rotates slowly from side to side. Eight to ten times. It is used for anemia of the brain, stiffness of the neck, etc. (Passive.)

VIII. Rotation of the Body. - The patient in a sitting position, with hands on hips. The operator, standing behind, places his right hand on the right shoulder-blade, and his left in front, on the chest of the left side, and performs the motion in such a way as to press the patient forward with one hand and carry him backward with the other, always being careful to describe a circle. When the movement is performed to one side ten to fifteen times, change the position of the hands and rotate toward the other side. It is used principally for affections of the abdomen. To secure a very strong action of the movement, the patient turns his body somewhat in the motion. (Passive.)

IX. Rotation of the Pelvis. - The patient resting with body on a couch or bed, and grasping it to keep immovable, the lower extremities extended.

Fig. 66.

The operator grasps the feet and proceeds with the rotation of the legs, endeavoring to produce a circle large enough to bring the pelvis into action.

Rotate ten times to each side, if the patient's strength permits. (Passive.)

This movement may also be active and is performed as in Fig. 66.

The aim of the rotation is to lengthen and shorten the veins, so as to produce a sucking of their contents, thus stimulating the circulation and assisting the heart in its action.