Help with Scapular movements

Sam Cannons · 08-23-2007, 05:18 PM

So i found this article on Scapular disorders and am having trouble picturing the movement he describes

Quote:

Posterior capsular and cuff tightness are best addressed by asking athletes to do daily sleeper stretches. The patient lies on his or her side and performs stretches in 70 degrees, 90 degrees, and 120 degrees of abduction.

Scapular protraction should be mitigated. This is best accomplished through scapular retraction exercises devoted to the muscles most prone to inhibition, the serratus anterior and lower trapezius.

The first stretches can someone explain this movement ? Secondly what are some good examples of Scapular retraction exercises ?

Thankyou

Steve Shafley · 08-23-2007, 07:35 PM

http://www.usta.com/healthandfitness...?iNewsid=67030

Do a search on "sleeper stretch" and you come up with this document:

Are Your Shoulders Hurting Yet?!
Five Tests to See if You Are At Risk For Developing Shoulder Pain
Alan D. Tyson PT, SCS, ATC, CSCS

Which isn't bad, in my opinion.

Steve Shafley · 08-23-2007, 07:42 PM

Also look for "The Disabled Shoulder" series of articles by Burkhart et al. They are available online via PDF as well. A "Disabled Shoulder Burkhard" google will dig them up.

Allen Yeh · 08-24-2007, 02:26 AM

Sam,

Did you already read the piece by Hartman and Robertson over at T-nation? They had a video for the neutral grip face pull which is a scapular retraction exercise.

Sam Cannons · 08-24-2007, 11:41 PM

Thanks Steve, yeah Allen i liked the article but i had some computer dramas and havent whatched the vids yet. I have just been plague with shoulder pain for months now. Its just a hassle

Allen Yeh · 08-25-2007, 05:05 AM

-Where's the pain?
-Certain movements or is it all the time?

Garrett Smith · 08-26-2007, 09:44 AM

Face pulls are awesome.

Strengthen the shoulder properly and stretching becomes almost completely unnecessary.

Sam Cannons · 08-26-2007, 01:36 PM

Mostly anteria shoulder, doesn't really bother me with work outs just wrestling/bjj. Pain usually radiates from the top of the shoulder... round the front, its not a huge amount of pain, mostly like a stiff joint type feeling with small amount of sharp pain. I have round rowing really helps but i dont have access to a rower ! I had a minor sublaxed ac joint a while back in the other arm and i feels very similar to that, but the last time it healed up within a week or two and i have never had a problem with it since.

Thanks
Sam

Sam Cannons · 08-26-2007, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Strengthen the shoulder properly and stretching becomes almost completely unnecessary.

Garrett can you please elaborate ?

Thankyou
Sam

Garrett Smith · 08-29-2007, 01:00 PM

Sam,
If rowing really helps, you should definitely invest in some rubber bands and learn the neutral-grip face pulls. I also like the wall slides.

As for your question, IMO, most shoulder "tightness" is simply due to protective reflexes of shoulder/scapular muscles (most likely due to weakness of links in the chain). Once the links are strong again, the "lost" ROM is regained nearly immediately.

I'm rehabbing a swimmer's shoulders right now. Lots of work on scapular retraction exercises and thoracic mobility. She is swimming stronger and faster, and her shoulder pains, one by one, keep disappearing.