Tension Between The Shoulder Blades

Just looking at the muscles in this picture on the left, you can see that there is a distinct connection between the head and the shoulder blade, and the shoulder blade to the arm.  You don't need to know the names or actions of the muscles to hypothesize that movement of the shoulder blades are key to healthy arms and a healthy neck.

Quite often clients come to see me with "knots" between their shoulder blades, rock hard upper traps, or a sensation that someone is stabbing them in the back with a hot poker. When I assess the movement and ability for the shoulder blades to move over the ribcage, the motion is almost non- existent.

In the video on the right, I share with you one of my favorite ways to get motion to the shoulder blades and freedom to the entire upper extremity!

Susan McLaughlin is a physical therapist who specializes in the management of pelvic floor and orthopedic dysfunctions. She is the owner of ALIGN integration|movement in Salt Lake City, UT.  Helpful tips and other self care strategies can be found at www.alignforhealth.com.