their shoulder blades together while the therapist resists the movement. Weak or dysfunctional middle trapezius or rhomboids is indicated by the client being unable to Posterior deltoid test Tests for the weakness or dysfunctions of the posterior deltoid. The client should be in the prone position on the massage table, their arm abducted to 90 degrees and elbow flexed to 90 degrees so that it is draped off the table. The client will hold their arm in this position while resisting the therapist’s forward push at the elbow. A weakness or Shoulder extensors test Tests for the hypomobility and/or hypertonicity of the muscles that extend the shoulder. The client is supine on the table, ideally at least one-quarter of the way down the table. For comfort, the client should bend their knees to 45 degrees so that their feet are resting flat on the table top. The client then fully flexes their arms over their head Pectoralis major length test I Tests for the hypertonicity of pectoralis major. The client should be in the supine position on the table with the edge of their torso parallel to it. The client’s arm is then abducted to 90 degrees and released. Hypertonicity of the muscle’s sternal and costal fibers is indicated by the arm not Pectoralis major length test II Tests for the hypertonicity of pectoralis major. The client should be in the supine position on the table with their hands interlaced behind their head. The massage therapist will push down on the elbows in an attempt to place the Pectoralis minor length test Tests for the hypertonicity of pectoralis minor. The client is supine on the table. The massage therapist sits at the head of the table and observes the position of the shoulders. Hypertonicity of the pectoralis minor is indicated by a forward motion of the shoulder over 20 degrees. The Wright’s hyperabduction test Tests for thoracic neurovascular compression due to hypertonicity of pectoralis minor. The client should be in a seated position. Next, their arm will be abducted to 180 degrees before slightly extending the arm backward. The massage therapist then monitors the client’s radial pulse. Hypertonicity of the pectoralis minor is indicated Acromioclavicular (AC) joint shear test Tests for the integrity of the AC joint ligaments. The client should be in a seated position with the massage therapist standing behind the client. The therapist interlaces their fingers with the palm of one hand on the lateral aspect of the clavicle and the other palm on the client’s lateral spine of the scapula. The therapist then squeezes their hands Adhesive capsulitis abduction test Tests for the frozen shoulder/ROM at the glenohumeral joint. The client should be seated. The massage therapist stands behind the client and with one hand palpates the inferior angle of the scapula. The therapist’s other hand holds the client’s arm above the elbow and attempts to slowly abduct the client’s arm out to 90 degrees. Frozen Drop arm test Tests for weakness or dysfunction of either the deltoid or supraspinatus muscle. The client should be in a seated position. The client abducts their arm to 90 degrees, holds the position for a moment if possible, then slowly adducts (adds) their arm to their body. Weakness or a dysfunction of the deltoid is indicated by pain at the muscle’s attachments
maintain strength against the therapist’s resistance or pain between either shoulder blade during the test.
dysfunction of the posterior portion of the deltoid muscle is indicated by the client’s inability to resist the therapist’s directed pressure. If a client’s pain occurs near the spine of the scapula, it is the muscle tendon that may be injured. The massage therapist should check for signs of inflammation and proceed accordingly. until their arms are resting on the table or otherwise in line with their body. Hypomobility and/or the hypertonicity of the latissimus dorsi, teres major, or posterior portion of the deltoid muscles are indicated if the client cannot rest their arms on the table.
dropping below table top level. To test the clavicular fibers of the pectoralis major, the client’s arm should be abducted to 135 degrees. Hypertonicity of the clavicular fibers is indicated by the arm not dropping below table level.
client’s elbows on the table. Hypertonicity of the pectoralis major is indicated if the client’s elbows cannot meet the table top.
therapist should then press down on the affected side (bilaterally if both sides appear affected) and ask if the client feels a stretch in the pectoralis minor area to confirm their observations.
by numbness or tingling in the client’s arm or hands or by a diminished radial pulse. The massage therapist should concentrate on the pectoralis minor and also check the anterior and middle scalenes for tension on the affected side to relieve the compression on the brachial plexus and subclavian artery. together. Dysfunctional AC joint ligaments are indicated by pain or excessive movement of the joint. The therapist should use cold therapy to reduce pain before attempting cross-fiber friction to assist tissue repair. Avoid moving the shoulder joint and perhaps stabilize it with a sports wrap or tape. shoulder is indicated by pain accompanied by a limited ROM (under 90 degrees). The therapist can massage any hypertonic muscles around the affected shoulder, but should let the client know that massage is not a long-term solution for this chronic condition since its cause is, in most cases, idiopathic (unknown). or in its belly. Weakness or dysfunction of the supraspinatus is indicated by pain above the spine of the scapula or near the greater tubercle of the humerus. Weakness of either muscle is indicated by the client being unable to slowly or smoothly adduct their arm.
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Book Code: MNJ0524
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