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2.2.4A.

Therapy for the latissimus dorsi.

Bilateral stretching.

Starting Position: P: Supine; knees and hips flexed to stabilize lumbar and thoracic regions and to prevent lumbar spine lordosis; head of couch lowered and smali, firm cushion may be placed between scapulae to permit maximum shoulder movement: abdomen stabilized to couch with a belt; chin tucked in to protect cervical spine; arms flexed above head. T: Standing at head of couch.

Grip: Using both hands, T grips P's upper arms from the medial aspect at the elbows. T holds P's arms flexed and in fuli lateral rotation at the shoulders. (If P is very strong. T can grip P's forearms or hands for better leverage).

Fig. 7 a. Starting Position.

Procedurę: Using this grip, T gradually and fully flexes at P’s shoulders.

Stimulation of Antagonists: T reverses grip (to under P's arms). T then asks P to move further in the direction of stretching, and resists that movement to stimulate P’s antagonists.

Notes: P’s shoulder joints are better protected and stretching is most effective if T applies traction to P’s arms as they are flexed.

The lumbar spine can be better stabilized by fully flexing P‘s hips and knees and moving the belt to the dorsal aspect of P's thighs.

The pectoralis major and minor and the teres major

are also stretched in this procedurę.

Fig. 7 b. Finał Position.

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