Got Shoulder Issues? Assessment

If you are dealing with limited shoulder mobility and shoulder pain, there are many mobility tests you can use to assess your current ability to achieve full range of motion. One in particular that I like is shoulder flexion on the floor or wall. The floor version is the regressed version while the wall version will be slightly more challenging. You should be able to lay our arms on the floor in an overhead position without compensating at other areas. If you cannot, then you know you have some work to do to regain full range of motion.

Floor Shoulder Flexion:

While doing the assessment, you want to maintain a neutral lumbar spine. Avoid excessive lower back arching or ribcage flaring. We want to ensure you are actually achieving thoracic extension. Try to slightly pack the chin as well to keep the cervical spine fairly neutral as well.

Video:

Wall Shoulder Flexion:

Follow the same instructions as the floor flexion assessment.

Video:

This article is just a snippet. For the full comprehensive article on assessing and treating shoulder pain so you can come back healthy and strong, please check out John Meadows' website, MountainDogDiet for paid customers. Or receive personal training directly from me at the Greensburg, Pennsylvania LA Fitness for the full plan to get your shoulders back to life!