Research Corner - Q&A Help with Frozen Shoulder Issues by Amy Moran | Date Released : 04 May 2004 0 comments Print Close Question: I have a client that was born with her left scapula up in the trapezius area of her neck. She also doesn't seem to have lats on that side either. She has very limited range of motion obviously in that shoulder and can't go vertical at all without a spot. Are there any suggestions you have on what I could do to help increase her ROM without further injury? And things that she should absolutely not be doing? Answer: It is apparent that if this client has not already seen a physician, she should see one before you do much more in the way of exercise. You need to know 100 percent the extent of her condition and what her functional abilities are through specific muscle/joint testing. This is absolutely necessary before any exercise prescription should be made for this client. The loss of this muscle would also mean the loss of the teres major, which is commonly referred to as the lats little helper because the two have the same action on the arm. The problem here is that studies have shown a measurable deficit in shoulder strength and function with loss of the latissimus dorsi muscle, so any exercises that have high shoulder demand would not be advised with this client. Back to top About the author: Amy Moran Amy Moran is a PhD student in Exercise Physiology at the University of Minnsota, where she is also an instructor in the Department of Kinesiology. She has an M.A. in Exercise Physiology with an emphasis in cardiac rehab from the College of St. Scholastica. Amy is a frequent lecturer to trainers, organizations, colleges and universities on a variety of exercise and nutrition related issues. Full Author Details Related content Content from Amy Moran A-C Separation and Recovery Samuel Berry | Articles Increasing Range of Motion for Frozen Shoulder Annette Lang | Articles Exercise Suggestions for Frozen Shoulder Research Corner | Articles Menopause and Musculoskeletal Strength Amy Moran | Articles Fat Cells in Youth Amy Moran | Articles Flexibility Training for Obese Clients Amy Moran | Articles Help with Frozen Shoulder Issues Amy Moran | Articles Safe Weight Loss Guidelines Amy Moran | Articles PNF Stretching Amy Moran | Articles Whole Body Vibration Training Amy Moran | Articles Spine Extension with Osteoporosis Amy Moran | Articles Shoulder Separation Recovery Amy Moran | Articles Adaptive Shortening Amy Moran | Articles To Stretch or Not to Stretch Amy Moran | Articles Loaded Passive Stretching Amy Moran | Articles Treadmills and Gait Correction Amy Moran | Articles Please login to leave a comment Comments (0) Back to top