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2.2.4B.

Therapy for the latissimus dorsi.

Unilateral stretching.

Starting Position: P: Supine; knees and hips flexed to stabilize lumbar and thoracic regions and to prevent lumbar spine lordosis; smali, firm cushion may be placed between scapulae to permit maximum shoulder movement; hips and thorax stabilized with a belt; support under head and neck; chin tucked in to protect cervical spine; arm flexed above head. T: Standing at head of couch, facing oblique to P's right side.

Grip:. Ts left hand grips medial side of P's upper arm just above the elbow. T holds P‘s arm flexed and fully laterally rotated at the shoulder. P's forearm lies along T's forearm with P's hand against the medial side of Ts upper arm. T's right hand stabilizes the lower right side of P's thorax. (If P is very strong, T's left hand can grip P's right hand while Ts right hand grips just above P's elbow).

Fig. 8 a. Starting Position.

Procedurę: Using this grip, T gradually and fully flexes and laterally rotates' at P's shoulder and simultaneously applies traction to P’s arm while moving it dorsally.

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

Notę: Stabilization of the thorax is easier if both sides are stretched simultaneously, see therapy 2.2.4A, p. 24.

Fig. 8 b. Finał Position.

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