Tag Archives: scapular

Exercising Do’s and Dont’s

November 15, 2016 Teresa Stockton - Blog, Sports and Fitness

In the third installment of our gym series we examine the proper ways to exercise at the gym from start to finish. If you have any sudden significant increase in pain, swelling, or discoloration while performing or following exercise, discontinue immediately and contact your therapist at your next therapy session.

SCAPULAR RETRACTION / ROW

START POSITION
• Standing or seated with back in neutral with feet shoulder width apart.
• Squeeze shoulder blades together.
• Elbows slightly bent and forearms parallel to the floor.

ENDING POSITION
• Elbows at 90⁰ flexion.
• Shoulders pulled back.
• Hands at your sides at shoulder width and forearms parallel to the floor.

DON’T
• Swing body back and forth.
• Let the weight pull you forward between repetitions (keep the shoulders back).
• Shrug.

ANTERIOR DELTOID – FRONTAL RAISE

START POSITION
• Standing with spine in neutral position with feet shoulder width apart.
• Palms facing down.

ENDING POSITION
• Arm raised to 90⁰ directly in front of you.
• Elbow in full extension.

DON’T
• Raise arm past 90 degrees.
• Swing body back and forth.
• Rotate wrist.
• Shrug shoulders.

LATERAL DELTOID – LATERAL RAISES

START POSITION
• Standing with spine in neutral position with feet shoulder width apart.
• Elbows bent at 90 degrees.

ENDING POSITION
• Arms raised to 90 degrees at your side.
• Palms facing down.

DON’T
• Raise arms past 90 degrees.
• Swing body back and forth.
• Shrug shoulders.

BENCH PRESS

START POSITION
• Lay flat on bench with both feet flat on the ground.
• Place a rolled towed in the center of the chest.
• Arms extended with wide grip to facilitate 90 degree bend at the elbow at the bottom of repetition.

ENDING POSITION
• Lower slowly until the bar touches the towel
• Elbows should not pass the height of the bench bending to about 90 degrees.

DON’T
• Lift feet off the ground.
• Arch your back.
• Bounce bar off your chest (barbell should only touch the towel lightly).

This information about exercise at the gym was written by STAR Therapy Services, an outpatient physical therapy group with six locations in Houston, Texas. At Star Houston Therapy Services, their number one priority is the patient. They strive to provide individualized treatment with hands-on, compassionate care. They perform comprehensive evaluations and encourage patient input for treatment planning and goal setting. For more information click here.

View the complete Exercising Do’s and Don’ts series below:

At the Gym: Exercising Do’s and Dont’s

October 13, 2016 Teresa Stockton - Blog, Sports and Fitness

In the second installment of our “At The Gym” exercise series we examine the proper ways to exercise at the gym from start to finish. If you have any sudden significant increase in pain, swelling, or discoloration while performing or following exercise, discontinue immediately and contact your therapist at your next therapy session.

PLUS PUSH-UP

START POSITION
• Get on elbows and knees.
• Knees bent
• Straight or neutral back done by drawing the stomach in and the buttocks down.

ENDING POSITION
Push elbows into mat while trying to increase the space between the shoulder blades (round out your back between the shoulders).DON’T

DON’T
• Drop the head.
• Raise the buttocks or let the low back excessively curve inward.

PLUS PUSH-UP: STAGE 2

START POSITION
Push-up position

ENDING POSITION
• Push hands into mat while trying to increase the space between shoulder blades.
• Rounded upper back appearance.

DON’T
• Drop the head.
• Raise the buttocks or let the low back excessively curve inward.

SCAPULAR DEPRESSION

START POSITION
• Seated with shoulder blades drawn downward (don’t shrug shoulders).
• Hands hold just outside of the curvature of the bar to comfort.
• Knees bent underneath knee pad and feet on the floor.
• Keep your back straight with a slight posterior lean from the hips.

ENDING POSITION
Bring bar to chest with elbows bent.

DON’T
• Lift feet off the ground.
• Rock at the waist.
• Elevate or let shoulders pull forward.
• Hyperextend the low back as you pull in.

EMPTY CAN

START POSITION
Standing with hands at your side and thumbs pointing downward with feet shoulder width apart.

ENDING POSITION
Arms raised to about 60⁰ with thumbs facing down and slightly to your side.

DON’T
• Swing body back and forth.
• Shrug shoulders.
• Lift above 60⁰.

FULL CAN

START POSITION
Standing with hands in front of you with thumbs pointing upward and feet shoulder width apart.

ENDING POSITION
Arms raised to 90 – 120⁰ with thumbs facing up.

DON’T
• Swing body back and forth.
• Shrug shoulders.
• Lift above 120⁰.

This information was written by STAR Therapy Services, an outpatient physical therapy group with six locations in Houston, Texas. At Star Houston Therapy Services, their number one priority is the patient. They strive to provide individualized treatment with hands-on, compassionate care. They perform comprehensive evaluations and encourage patient input for treatment planning and goal setting. For more information click here.

View the complete Exercising Do’s and Don’ts series below:

At the Gym: Exercising Do’s and Don’ts

September 15, 2016 Teresa Stockton - Blog, Sports and Fitness

In this new monthly series we examine the proper ways to exercise at the gym from start to finish. If you have any sudden significant increase in pain, swelling, or discoloration while performing or following exercise, discontinue immediately and contact your therapist at your next therapy session.

SCAPULAR STRENGTHENING

START POSITION
• Lay face down on the edge of the bench with arm hanging downward
• Rolled towel under forehead for support

ENDING POSITION
Arm raised straight to your side no higher than the torso with palms facing down

DON’T
• Arch your back when lifting dumbbell
• Lay with face turned sideways
• Raise the dumbbell too high

EXTERNAL ROTATION – SIDE LYING

START POSITION
• Side lying with elbow at 90⁰ bend
• Support the head and rolled towel under arm holding dumbbell

ENDING POSITION
Side lying with external rotation at the shoulder until you feel an anatomical stop at the shoulder (about 45⁰); keep elbow bent

DON’T
• Create rotation at the torso
• Don’t raise the arm from the towel

EXTERNAL ROTATION – PRONE

START POSITION
• Lay face down with head facing to the side
• Forearm hanging off table with elbow bent to 90⁰
• Bicep is on the bench and supported by a towel

ENDING POSITION
About 45⁰ of external rotation

DON’T
• Externally rotate past 45⁰
• Raise arm from the towel

D2 FLEXION

START POSITION
• Standing with feet shoulder width apart
• Hold handle with arm crossing body to opposite side
• Palm facing body.

ENDING POSITION
• Arm raised slightly above the shoulder (about 120⁰ which is slightly higher than shown) with thumb facing upward
• Creating a “disco” motion

DON’T
• Let thumb face sideways or downward at end of exercise
• Lean backwards or sideways to assist in exercise
• Shrug shoulders

This information about how to exercise at the gym was written by STAR Therapy Services, an outpatient physical therapy group with six locations in Houston, Texas. At Star Houston Therapy Services, their number one priority is the patient. They strive to provide individualized treatment with hands-on, compassionate care. They perform comprehensive evaluations and encourage patient input for treatment planning and goal setting. For more information click here.

View the complete Exercising Do’s and Don’ts series below: