08/07/2019
Don’t Blame the Rotator Cuff
Rotator cuff impingement typically occurs when the supraspinatus tendon gets squashed between the humerus and the scapula’s acromion process during arm abduction. One of the primary and oft-overlooked causes is insufficient sternoclavicular (SC) joint elevation during this movement. Recall that the SC joint should always move in an opposing direction to the scapula. Yet, tension, trauma and sub-optimal posture may cause the clavicle to get locked in a superior position on the manubrium and unable to glide down as the arm is raised. In these cases, manual and movement therapy to treat a frayed rotator cuff tendon is pointless until the SC joint fixation is corrected. To address the problem, we need to determine if the medial clavicular head is dropping down during two movements: arm abduction and shoulder elevation (shrugging). In the video, I assess for an SC joint elevation restriction by placing…
>>> Click here to read more and view a shoulder girdle mobilization technique video
Addressing Arthrokinetic Reflexes The term Arthro (joint) Kinetic (motion) Reflex was coined by University of Pittsburg researchers to describe how sensory inp
