Preview the Massage Therapy and Bodywork Muscle Stretches

Quadratus Lumborum, Gluteus Medius and Minimus

Click on the photograph to see a different angle of this stretch!

Client is lying on the side opposite to be stretched and moves her body to the edge of the table.
Guide her top leg to hang off the edge of the table (knee needs to clear the table; some clients will not be able to do this).
Therapist must stabilize the pelvis with his/her body to prevent rotation or over-arching of the lower back.
Gently press down on the leg to be stretched and push up on the torso to help separate it from the pelvis.

This stretch will also get some fibers of the tensor fascia latae and ilio-tibial band. (To stretch the quadratus lumborum the client’s upper arm must be above the ribs, reaching up towards her head). If letting the leg hang is too painful, arrange a chair for the ankle to rest on for about a minute, then see if the leg can hang without pain. Clients should be instructed to do this as an unassisted self-stretch by letting the leg hang off the edge of a bed. Remember that to stretch a muscle we must do the opposite of the muscle's action.

ERECTOR SPINAE AND MULTIFIDI STRETCH:

Client kneels, then sits back on her heels with the chest resting on the knees and the arms resting on the table.

First traction the hips then press the hips down toward the table. If the client feels pain in the knees, have her separate the knees. If the pain persists, discontinue the stretch. A bolster under the ankles will usually resolve any ankle discomfort.
For more leverage, you can stand on the table. If you are uncomfortable standing on the table, simply have the client get dressed and you can do this stretch on the floor.

Clients should be instructed to do this as an unassisted self-stretch.

Medial Scalene and Upper Trapezius

Client is supine and the hand on the side to be stretched is anchored under the same side hip.
Therapist laterally flexes the neck (ear to shoulder).
For the medial scalene the neck is in pure lateral flexion with no rotation.

In the photograph to the left, the therapist’s right hand is stabilizing the shoulder while her left hand is gently pressing the head and neck towards the left shoulder lateral flexion.

Subscapularis

This muscle is usually tight on most people, therefore stretching it along with the pectoralis major will help counteract the slumped, forward-shoulder posture.

Client is supine. With client’s elbow bent, abduct the humerus to 90 degrees and externally rotate the arm so that the palm is up. Gently traction the humerus
Push down on the forearm with one hand and externally rotate the humerus with your other hand from below so that the shoulder joint is being moved into external (lateral) rotation.

To purchase the Stretch Your Clients! manual please click on the Stretch Your Clients! link below and follow the instructions. To purchase the Releasing the Rotator Cuff manual click on the Rotator Cuff link below and follow the instructions