Body Part - Shoulder Girdle - Techniques

[Roberta]

Hi.

I envision a sticky for this thread in the future (and the other body part threads I'll start!), if this goes well.

We could utilize this sort of like the "Massage Pearls" thread. Anything you find interesting within the MassagePlanetL forums regarding a specific part body and the work surrounding it, could be parked in this thread. Obviously we may end up with some thoughts duplicated from the Massage Pearls, but who cares!!!! The more, the merrier!

In addition, if you'd just be interested in posting some neat techniques you do for this particular body part, that would be wonderful too!

Consider items like:

• Amount of time you generally spend on this body part.
• Amount of time you can spend on this body part.
• Techniques you may use to stretch out a massage while working this body part (example: you need to pass a few minutes to get back on track -- swedish therapists may really appreciate this info).
• How you incorporate other bodyparts at the same time when you are working this area (example: long strokes in working the hip with one hand and the posterior calf with the other -- in unison).
• Techniques for specific problems or patterns.
• Tell us something that just feels good!
• Draping/loose draping/non-draping information - the why & why-nots associated with this area.
• Types of lotions/oils you would use for the technique and why.
• How to perform deeper work or lighter work in the region.
• Case Study Examples from your practice.
• Bonus thoughts that you may have that would be helpful to new and old therapists alike!

Without further ado .... it's all about the shoulder girdle!!!!

 

[???? ?? ????]

Looking for shoulder landmarks on a heavier client?

Bony landmarks aren't nearly the issue I was taught they would be - when in doubt, you can often do some PROM or ask a client to do a movement in the context of the tx (I find I don't have to say "because I can't see your shoulderblades"). Good luck and have fun!

 

[-xoxo-]

With your client supine, reach under the clients torso to the origin of the rhomboids with your fingertips, and then laterally extend the clients arm (like you are stretching pecs major).

The weight of the clients body will provide good pressure. Slowly strip inferiolaterally along the rhomboids until you reach the medial border of the scapula. continue that pressure pulling inferiolaterally on the scapula, while laterally flexing the clients arm across his body, which will cause the scapula to move away from the midline, and further lengthen the rhomboids.

This has worked very well with some of my clients (pro athletes).

With your client prone ask him to move to the edge of the table so that his GH joint is off of the table. Then ask your client to start by laterally extending his humerus so that the rhomboids are flexed and shortened.

Put a superomedial pressure on the rhomboids starting from the medial border of the scapula.

Ask your client to bring his arm down across his as though he were trying to touch his opposite side knee. While he is moving, keep your superomedial pressure so that you are stripping the muscle going towards the attachment at the spinous processes while his rhomboids are lengthening with the movement.

(This technique can be done passively also, with you putting the clients arm through the movement, but that means that you would only have one hand to apply the pressure).

 

[adeu_love-2009]

From a thread entitled: What are those crunchies????

I have always thought they were 'debris'. Once upon a time, I was told 'lactic acid'. After reading current studies, etc, I think they are debris of a different nature. ha. They break up & seem to melt away. When they do, there seems to be less pain or tenderness & that's great.

Reason why I'm posting is to share something I have been trying lately when holding pressure on a trigger point. While holding my thumb static 'on the spot', I tap or strike my own distal thumb joint, do a couple of 'combing' passes & move on. About 90% of the time, the area softens very quickly. Much more quickly than holding for the standard 90 seconds, etc. It saves my thumbs too! A friend recently did this to me & taught me. I love it. I'm sure it has a proper name & place in a particular type of therapy, but its amazingly effective.

Jill/sagetherapist

Jill, how long do you hold you thumb static and tap/strike. . .and can you describe your 'combing' passes? Do you do that parallel to the mm fibers or perpendicular?

Thanks
~Samantha

I only have to hold long enough to make sure my body mechanics are correct & to 'set my intention'. (very briefly) I tap twice or three times. My description of combing means alternating raking strokes with my thumbs, in multiple directions; no deep pressure needed. I simply experimented & landed on a cool technique that gives me really wonderful results so far.

My work involves the clients body held staticly in various 'platforms' or positions AND while moving & stretching. I was taught to always regard the body as three dimensional & moving. It gives you alot more options than simply repeating strokes on the back or front, etc. I reach underneath, etc (example: combing the pectoralis with four fingers while the client is prone, with the arm draped a number of ways before working the scap, etc)

Jill/Sagetherapist

 

[Anus]

Hi,

if you are pressing against the ribs to palpate the muscle, chances are it is Serratus Anterior.

One simple but effective way of releasing serratus is with trigger point techniques on the muscle itself. With your client supine, follow the muscle along the ribs to find the most hyperirritable spots on the muscle, and then apply ischemic compressions. (be careful compressing the ribs though).

a different approach for serratus is.. since the muscle attaches to the medial border of scapula, try doing some scapular mobilizations medially and by winging the scapula) to stretch Serratus.

You can also do some work on the muscle itself at its insertion under the medial scapula by winging the scapula while the client is prone.

If youre pressing into the front of the scapula to feel the muscle, it is Subscapularis.

A good technique for Subscapularis is to have your client supine, medially rotate the humerus while you are applying an inferomedial pressure agains subscapularis from the most lateral point you can palpate. Slowly externally rotate your clients arm to lengthen the muscle, while keeping your inferomedial pressure on the muscle. this will stretch the muscle while your stripping it. (be careful of the nerves and blood vessels in that area).

try those and see if anything works.