Why are you giving me Shoulder Blade exercises if I have Shoulder pain?

Published February 6, 2014 | By LComstock

Have you been to PT for shoulder pain? Have you been given shoulder blade strengthening exercises plus actual shoulder exercises? Here is a picture of an actual shoulder (ball and socket) exercise:

shoulder pain exercise


Here a picture of a shoulder blade (scapula) exercise:  
one arm wall push up

If I were a patient, I'd be thinking, "those therapists sure are giving me a lot of exercises."  The truth is, the shoulder blade has to elevate and rotate up for your arm to reach all the way up overhead.  
scapular elevation and upward rotation
  In fact, if the shoulder blade does  NOT raise up, the rotator cuff muscles will get pinched  when the arm raises up.  shoulder impingement
  
So, in fact to really get better from shoulder pain a person needs BOTH shoulder and shoulder blade exercises.


                                Posted in Lacey, Olympia, Physical Therapy, Shoulder Pain, Sports Therapy, Thurston County, Tumwater