• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.8-15
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• 2012

Posterior shoulder muscle tightness is frequently observed in shoulder impingement syndrome because tightness in the posterior portion of the shoulder muscles can cause anterior and superior translation of the humeral head in relation to the glenoid fossa. The purpose of this study was to determine the immediate effects of soft tissue massage on acromiohumeral distance (AHD), anterior translation of the humeral head, and glenohumeral (GH) range of motion (ROM) in subjects with posterior shoulder muscle tightness. Twenty-seven subjects with greater than $10^{\circ}$ difference in the range of GH horizontal adduction between right and left sides were recruited. The range of GH horizontal adduction and internal rotation were measured by a digital inclinometer. The AHD and anterior translation of the humeral head were measured using ultrasonography. A paired t-test was used to compare AHD, anterior translation of the humeral head, and the range of GH horizontal adduction and internal rotation before and after soft tissue massage. The results showed that AHD increased significantly (p<.05) and the anterior translation of humeral head decreased slightly, but not significantly (p=.40) after the soft tissue massage. Furthermore, the ROM of horizontal adduction and internal rotation in the GH joint increased significantly after the soft tissue massage (p<.05). These findings indicate that soft tissue massage on posterior shoulder muscle tightness is an effective method to increase AHD and ROM in the horizontal adduction and internal rotation of the GH joint.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.38-44
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• 2020

Background: Posterior shoulder tightness, which is a problem mainly seen in patients with shoulder impingement syndrome, disrupts the scapulohumeral rhythm between the humerus and scapulae. Objects: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of joint mobilization and stretching on shoulder muscle activity and internal rotation range of motion (ROM) of the glenohumeral joint in patients with impingement syndrome with posterior shoulder tightness. Methods: The research subjects included 22 in-patients with impingement syndrome with posterior shoulder tightness. They were randomly divided into two groups: one group (12 patients) was treated with joint mobilization and the other group (10 patients) was treated with stretching for the posterior shoulder tightness. Each treatment was performed five times a week for two weeks, and there were 15 sessions for each treatment. The ROM of the internal rotation and muscle activities of shoulder joint were evaluated pretest and posttest in each group. Electromyography data were collected from the upper, middle, and lower trapezius and serratus anterior during shoulder abduction of 90°, 120°, and 150°. Results: Both the joint mobilization and stretching groups showed significant decreases in muscle activity in the upper, middle, and lower trapezius on the posttest (p < 0.05). There was a significant difference in serratus anterior at 150° (p < 0.05), but there was no significant difference between group in post-hoc analysis (p > 0.025). The internal rotation ROM was significantly increased in the stretching group compared to that in the joint mobilization group (p < 0.025). Conclusion: This study found that both joint mobilization and stretching for posterior shoulder tightness were effective in muscle activity during arm abduction, also in order to increase internal rotation ROM of shoulder joint, stretching was effective in patients with impingement syndrome with posterior tightness.

• 대한관절경학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2006.11a
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• pp.35-39
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• 2006

Posterior capsular tightness with glenohumeral internal rotation deficit is usually considered to be an acquired condition of the throwing shoulder and is usually treated conservatively. However, because posterior capsular tightness is sometimes irreversible, we have performed arthroscopic capsular release for painful throwing shoulder with posterior capsular tightness. The true loss of internal rotation and posterior stiffness was confirmed by examination with the patient under anesthesia, and contracture of the posterior capsule and the posterior band of the inferior glenohumeral ligamant was observed arthroscopically. Because an extensive adhesion between the capsule and the fascia of the external rotators was noted, a capsular release was performed from 6 o'clock to 11 o'clock (in the right shoulder) to completely expose the muscle belly of the external rotators. Of the first 16 consecutive patients, 4 had no concomitant lesions and underwent posterior capsular release alone. With a minimum of 2 years' follow-up, it was ascertained that the throwing pain completely disappeared in 14 patients and improved in 2. In all, 11 patients returned to their preinjury performance level, and 5 returned to a lower level of function. In the 4 patients who had no concomitant lesions, throwing pain completely disappeared, and all were able to return to their preinjury performance level.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.139-150
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• 2024

Purpose : Scapular dyskinesis, it have been shown to be common in overhead athletes and has been associated with RC muscle strength. Posterior shoulder tightness (PST) has been suggested as an important factor causing scapular dyskinesis. Therefore, rehabilitation programs should focus on a posterior shoulder stretch combined with scapular stabilization exercise (PSSE) intervention. Determine the effects of posterior shoulder stretch combined with scapular stabilization exercise on the rotator cuff (RC) muscles strength, functional strength ratio (FSR), range of motion (ROM), and pain. Methods : 30 adolescent baseball players participated and subjects were allocated PSSE group (n=15) or the SSE group (n=15). Both group performed a 6-weeks intervention and measured of isokinetic peak torque/body weight (PT/BW) of concentric external rotator (CER), eccentric external rotator (EER), concentric internal rotator (CIR), eccentric internal rotator (EIR), FSR, ROM, and pain. Results : After 6 weeks PSSE, significant increase CER PT/BW (+6.02±4.76 %), EER PT/BW (+5.39±4.22 %), EER to CIR ratio (+.17±.16), and internal rotation ROM (+15.08±3.57 °). Whereas, significant decrease EIR to CER ratio (-.14±.18), external rotation ROM (-12.00±6.94 °), and GIRD (-17.41±2.84 °) compared with pre-intervention. No significant difference of isokinetic PT/BW of CIR and EER post-intervention. In the SSE group showed no significant difference all measurements for isokinetic PT/BW, FSR, and ROM post-intervention. The pain was significant improve both PSSE group (-3.25±1.60) and SSE group (-2.83±1.85) post-intervention. Conclusion : Both the PSSE and SSE interventions led to more pain relief. However, only the PSSE group showed ROM, CER, EER PT/BW, and FSR improvements. These results might suggest that the PSSE intervention is a more effective program for improving RC muscle strength and balance, in particular, concentric and eccentric ER muscle strength, FSR and can expect to prevent shoulder injuries in adolescent baseball players with scapular dyskinesis.