Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinitionUsesExercisesBenefitsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Definition
Uses
Exercises
Benefits
Frequently Asked Questions
The scapula (or shoulder blade)is a triangle-shaped bone that is located in the upper portion of the back and serves as an attachment point for 17 neck, shoulder, and trunk muscles.
This important structure functions along with the ball and socket (glenohumeral) shoulder joint to allow your arm to move in multiple different directions.Occasionally, restricted or dysfunctional scapular movement can limit your available shoulder range of motion or make movement painful.
This article will discuss scapular mobilization, which is a technique used to address the issue of restricted scapular motion.
Stevica Mrdja / EyeEm / Getty images
What Is Scapular Mobilization?
Ideally, increases in scapular movement should help:
To perform this hands-on technique, the therapist typically positions you on your side with your arm resting on their own arm at a 90-degree angle.
Using their hands to cup the borders of the scapula, your practitioner will typically move the bone in several different directions (up and down, forward and backward, or in a circular pattern).
Is Scapular Mobilization Painful?While you may feel a strain or stretching sensation, this treatment should not be overly painful.
Is Scapular Mobilization Painful?
While you may feel a strain or stretching sensation, this treatment should not be overly painful.
Scapular mobilization exercises may also be performed after the hands-on portion to maintain and advance your progress.
Why Is It Used?
Restrictions in scapular movement can cause damage and pain to your shoulder and can negatively impact your posture. Because of this, scapular mobilizations are often used whenever limited shoulder blade motion is identified.
This treatment technique is also routinely performed during physical therapy for the followingconditions:
Scapular Mobilization Exercises
While there are many different exercises that can help with this, among the most common are:
Exercise PrecautionsWhile these scapular exercises are generally safe and effective, they should not be performed without consulting your physician if you have recently undergone surgery or are experiencing pain while doing them.
Exercise Precautions
While these scapular exercises are generally safe and effective, they should not be performed without consulting your physician if you have recently undergone surgery or are experiencing pain while doing them.
Scapular mobilization has been shown to positively benefit a number of the conditions mentioned above. This treatment was found to increase shoulder range of motion when combined with manual therapy to the posterior shoulder capsule in people withadhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder).
Scapular treatments emphasizing shoulder blade mobilizations and muscular retraining have also been shown to improve pain and function in those with shoulder impingement (when the tendons of the shoulder are pinched as they pass the upper arm).
In addition, for people withrounded-shoulder posture, scapular mobilization has been found to positively affect the resting position of the shoulder blades. It is worth noting, however, that these improvements are similar to those seen with postural stretching.
Finally, shoulder blade exercises were shown to improve pain and function in those with scapular dyskinesia (a change in the normal resting or active position of the scapula during shoulder movement), though the research is still mixed on whether they improve the movement or resting position of the bone.
RisksWhile scapular mobilizations are generally safe, they should not be painful. In addition, people with decreased sensation, low bone density, or hypermobility disorders should speak to their healthcare provider before receiving this treatment.
Risks
While scapular mobilizations are generally safe, they should not be painful. In addition, people with decreased sensation, low bone density, or hypermobility disorders should speak to their healthcare provider before receiving this treatment.
Summary
The scapula is a triangular bone situated in the upper back that plays a fundamental role in shoulder movement. When scapular movement is restricted, it can cause pain and problems with functioning.
Scapular mobilizations involve hands-on manipulation and stretching of the shoulder blade. When combined with exercise, this treatment can reduce soreness, increase range of motion, and improve function.
A Word From Verywell
Abnormal or restricted scapular movement can play a large role in many common shoulder diagnoses. If you are dealing with the frustration of shoulder pain or stiffness, be sure to speak to your healthcare provider about your condition.
Frequently Asked QuestionsScapular mobilization is used to improve and bring your scapula (shoulder blade) bone movement back to normal. The scapula serves as an attachment point for many shoulder, neck, and trunk muscles. Because of this, normal movement in this bone is key to a fully mobile and pain-free shoulder.The length of time these mobilization treatments are required will vary widely depending on how much your shoulder is restricted and how you improve from therapy. How well you tolerate the therapy and your pain levels may also account for your treatment length. While each person’s treatment is unique, one study found benefit from performing 10 mobilizations to the scapula in each direction, with 30-second breaks in between.Grade 1mobilizations are small in amplitude and focused on the beginning of a joint’s range of motion.Grade 2mobilizations are larger in size and travel from the beginning to the middle of the joint’s movement range.Grade 3mobilizations are also large-amplitude forces, but ones that travelfrom the middle to the end of the joint’s normal motion.Grade 4treatments are small in amplitude and are focused primarily on the end of the joint’s available arc of motion.
Scapular mobilization is used to improve and bring your scapula (shoulder blade) bone movement back to normal. The scapula serves as an attachment point for many shoulder, neck, and trunk muscles. Because of this, normal movement in this bone is key to a fully mobile and pain-free shoulder.
The length of time these mobilization treatments are required will vary widely depending on how much your shoulder is restricted and how you improve from therapy. How well you tolerate the therapy and your pain levels may also account for your treatment length. While each person’s treatment is unique, one study found benefit from performing 10 mobilizations to the scapula in each direction, with 30-second breaks in between.
Grade 1mobilizations are small in amplitude and focused on the beginning of a joint’s range of motion.Grade 2mobilizations are larger in size and travel from the beginning to the middle of the joint’s movement range.Grade 3mobilizations are also large-amplitude forces, but ones that travelfrom the middle to the end of the joint’s normal motion.Grade 4treatments are small in amplitude and are focused primarily on the end of the joint’s available arc of motion.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Scapular(shoulder blade) disorders.
Duzgun I, Turgut E,Eraslan L, Elbasan B, Oskay D, Atay OA.Which method for frozen shoulder mobilization: manualposterior capsule stretching or scapular mobilization?J Musculoskelet Neuronal Interact.2019;19(3):311-316.
Nodehi Moghadam A, Rahnama L, NoorizadehDehkordi S, Abdollahi S.Exercise therapy may affect scapular position and motion in individuals with scapular dyskinesis: a systematic review of clinical trials.Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery. 2020;29(1):e29-e36. doi:10.1016/j.jse.2019.05.037
Struyf F, Nijs J, Mollekens S, et al.Scapular-focused treatment in patients with shoulder impingement syndrome: a randomized clinica trial.Clin Rheumatol. 2013;32(1):73-85. doi:10.1007/s10067-012-2093-2
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