Entry By: Tambra Marik, OTR/L, OTD, CHT
The scapular assist test is performed with the therapist recreating the bio-mechanics of the scapula. The therapist manually upwardly rotates the scapula at the medial border with one hand while providing a posterior tilt at the superior border with the other hand. Often patients with impingement have a decrease of pain with scapular assistance (no diagnostic values or validity found for this test). Therapy Nugget: Manual scapular assist can be used for patients who can not tolerate stretching latissimus dorsi and pectoralis due to pain. Often this simply technique can be incorporated into clinical treatment. Try it. Your patients will be impressed!