Scapular Stabilization in Hands and Knees

Retraining of the Right Serratus Anterior:

• The patient assumes a hands and knees position with the hips centered over the knees and the shoulders centered over the hands.
• Have the patient bend their elbows so that the shoulders are the same height as the hips and their head is held straight in line with the spine.
• Instruct the patient to find a neutral lumbar spine position by rotating the pelvis anteriorly and posteriorly and positioning the spine in mid range. Then the patient draws the belly in without raising the back.
• They hold the position for 5-10 seconds and repeat 3-5 times, increasing repetitions as their strength improves.
• Watch the patient to make sure that the hips stay centered over the knees and the shoulders stay centered over their hands.
• To increase the resistance, ask the patient to lift the L hand off the table slightly and hold for 5-10 seconds. Make sure that the patient keeps the right arm bent at the elbow as the tendency is to straighten the arm.