Scapula MMT

Question 1

Scapular Elevation

Answer 1

Client sitting erect with arms at side
“Lift shoulders toward your ears like you’re shrugging. Don’t let me push them down”
Place hand on each acromion and push down toward scapular depression
Prime movers: upper trapezius and levator scapulae
Gravity Eliminated: prone with arms at the side

Question 1

Scapular Depression

Answer 1

Tested in gravity eliminated position (prone)
Client is prone with arms at side: “reach your hand down toward your feet”
Use hand to cup inferior angle of the scapula while client reaches toward feet; push up toward scapular elevation
Prime movers: lower trapezius and latissimus dorsi
Against Gravity: already against gravity because client is in prone

Question 2

Scapular Adduction/ Retraction

Answer 2

Client is prone
Middle Trapezius
“Make a T for Trapezius. Raise your elbow toward the ceiling. Do not let me push you down.”
Apply resistance laterally at the vertebral border of the scapula or, if the shoulder is stable and pain free downward at the distal humerus
Rhomboids
Shoulder internally rotated with the back of the hand resting on the lumbar region (arm on the rump for rhomboids)
“Lift your hand off of your back. Do not let me push it down”
Apply downward resistance against the distal humerus or if the shoulder is unstable, against the vertebral border of the scapula in the direction of scapular abduction
Prime movers: Middle Trapezius and Rhomboids
Gravity Eliminated: sitting up

Question 3

Scapular Abduction / Protraction

Answer 3

Client is supine with the humerus flexed to 90°
“Reach your arm toward the ceiling”
Resistance should be applied along the axillary border of the scapula
Grasp the distal humerus or cup the hand over client’s elbow and push down or backward toward scapular adduction
apply pressure in axilla
Prime Mover: serratus anterior
Gravity Eliminated: sitting up