POSTERIOR SHOULDER STRETCHING DEVICE

Abstract

A device for facilitating stretching of the posterior shoulder includes a brace portion having a shoulder opening and a wedge-shaped scapula stabilization pad, an anterior strap extending from one side of the brace portion, a posterior strap extending from another side of the brace portion, a ring at the end of said posterior strap to facilitate coupling the anterior strap to posterior strap, and a hook-and-loop attachment on said anterior strap effective to secure the end of the strap to a portion of the strap nearer the brace portion. The device may be used to stretch the posterior shoulder by sliding a patient's arm through the shoulder opening of the device and positioning the device on the superior aspect of the patient's shoulder girdle, bringing the posterior strap of said posterior shoulder stretching device around the patient's mid-back and under the opposite axilla and passing the anterior strap through the ring at the end of the strap, retracting the scapula toward the spine on the side of the device and pulling the anterior strap tight, thereby wedging the scapula stabilization pad into the anterior lateral aspect of the scapula, flexing the shoulder to 90 degrees on the side of the device, and grasping the elbow with the opposite hand and pulling the arms across midline to stretch the posterior shoulder.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of applicant's copending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/359,498, filed Jun. 29, 2010, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to exercise devices, and more particularly to a device for stretching the posterior shoulder.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Posterior capsule tightness of the shoulder has been suggested as a causative or perpetuating factor in shoulder impingement syndrome and labral lesions in the overhead athlete. Selective tightening of the posterior shoulder causes anterior and superior translation of the humeral head with shoulder elevation. Abnormal humeral head motion can result in a decrease in the subacromial space during overhead activities. Approximation of the humeral head and acromium can cause compression of tissues in this region.

A popular stretch utilized by overhead athletes is the “cross-body-stretch.” This stretch has been criticized because the scapula is not stabilized and therefore tissue stress is imparted to the scapulothoracic tissues instead of the posterior structures of the glenohumeral joint. Methods have been described where the scapula is manually stabilized, but it has the disadvantage of requiring a second person and limits how often the stretch can be performed.

A need therefore exists for a device to facilitate stretching the posterior shoulder. The present invention addresses that need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly describing one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for stabilizing a shoulder without requiring a second person. The therapeutic device allows an athlete to independently stretch the posterior aspect of their shoulder, while stabilizing the scapulothoracic region.

In one preferred embodiment the device comprises a brace with an opening that allows the affected arm to pass through. The brace encompasses the superior portion of the shoulder and the entire aspect of the scapula, but allows the shoulder joint to move freely. An inner stabilizing pad may be sewn into the lateral aspect of the device that makes contact with anterolateral aspect of the scapula.

The device further preferably includes an anterior strap that crosses the chest and courses through a metal loop located at the end of a posterior strap, which crosses the mid back region. The anterior strap is pulled tightly and secured, pushing the stabilizing pad into the scapula as the shoulder girdle is retracted.

The affected arm is elevated in the sagittal plane to 90 degrees with the elbow flexed. The opposite hand grasps the elbow and pulls it toward midline. The device allows the focus of the stretch to be directed to the posterior shoulder, while preventing compensatory motion at the scapulothoracic region and permitting the athlete to perform the stretch independently.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a front view of the device of the present invention, according to one preferred embodiment, with the anterior strap fastened.

FIG. 2 shows a back view of the device of the present invention, according to one preferred embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows another front view of the device of the present invention, according to one preferred embodiment, with the anterior strap unfastened.

FIG. 4 shows a superior/lateral view of the device of the present invention, according to one preferred embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows the placement of the device of the present invention, according to one preferred embodiment.

FIG. 6 shows a first step in the use of the device of the present invention, according to one preferred embodiment.

FIG. 7 shows a second step in the use of the device of the present invention, according to one preferred embodiment.

FIG. 8 shows a third step in the use of the device of the present invention, according to one preferred embodiment.

FIG. 9 shows a fourth step in the use of the device of the present invention, according to one preferred embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference is made herein to certain preferred embodiments and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, with such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated invention, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein, being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

As indicated above, the present invention provides a device for stabilizing a shoulder without requiring a second person. The therapeutic device allows an athlete to independently stretch the posterior aspect of their shoulder, while stabilizing the scapulothoracic region.

The device comprises a brace with an opening that allows the affected arm to pass through. The brace encompasses the superior portion of the shoulder and the entire aspect of the scapula, but allows the shoulder joint to move freely. An inner stabilizing pad is sewn into the lateral aspect of the device that makes contact with anterolateral aspect of the scapula.

The device further includes an anterior strap that crosses the chest and courses through a metal loop located at the end of a posterior strap, which crosses the mid back region. The anterior strap is pulled tightly and secured, pushing the stabilizing pad into the scapula as the shoulder girdle is retracted.

The affected arm is elevated in the sagittal plane to 90 degrees with the elbow flexed. The opposite hand grasps the elbow and pulls it toward midline The device allows the focus of the stretch to be directed to the posterior shoulder, while preventing compensatory motion at the scapulothoracic region and permitting the athlete to perform the stretch independently.

Referring now to the drawings, device 10 includes a brace portion 11 with a shoulder opening 12 and a wedge-shaped scapula stabilization pad 13. An anterior strap 14 extends from one side of the brace portion, and a posterior strap 15 extends from another side of the brace portion. Posterior strap 15 includes a ring 16 at its end to facilitate coupling the anterior strap to posterior strap. A hook-and-loop attachment 17 may be provided on anterior strap 14 to secure the end of the strap.

To use the device, the user slides her arm through shoulder opening 12 and positions the device on the superior aspect of the shoulder girdle. Posterior strap 15 is then brought around the back and under the opposite axilla. Anterior strap 14 is then coursed through ring 16 at the end of posterior strap 15. The user then retract her scapula toward her spine on the side of the device, and pulls anterior strap 14 tight with the opposite hand, wedging the scapula stabilization pad into the anterolateral aspect of the scapula. Anterior strap 14 is then secured in the fastened position with hook-and-loop attachment 17.

The user may then flex her shoulder to 90° on the side of the device by grasping the elbow with the opposite hand and pulling the arm across the midline to stretch the posterior shoulder. The device stabilizes the scapula in a retracted position, allowing the stretch to be isolated to the posterior shoulder.

Claims

1. A device for facilitating stretching of the posterior shoulder, comprising:

a) a brace portion having a shoulder opening and a wedge-shaped scapula stabilization pad;

b) an anterior strap extending from one side of the brace portion;

c) a posterior strap extending from another side of the brace portion;

d) a ring at the end of said posterior strap to facilitate coupling the anterior strap to posterior strap;

e) a hook-and-loop attachment on said anterior strap effective to secure the end of the strap to a portion of the strap nearer the brace portion.

2. A method for stretching the posterior shoulder, comprising:

a) providing a posterior shoulder stretching device comprising: i) a brace portion having a shoulder opening and a wedge-shaped scapula stabilization pad; ii) an anterior strap extending from one side of the brace portion; iii) a posterior strap extending from another side of the brace portion; iv) a ring at the end of said posterior strap to facilitate coupling the anterior strap to posterior strap; v) a hook-and-loop attachment on said anterior strap effective to secure the end of the strap to a portion of the strap nearer the brace portion;

b) sliding a patient's arm through the shoulder opening of said posterior shoulder stretching device and positioning the device on the superior aspect of the patient's shoulder girdle;

c) bringing the posterior strap of said posterior shoulder stretching device around the patient's mid-back and under the opposite axilla and passing the anterior strap through the ring at the end of the strap;

d) retracting the scapula toward the spine on the side of the device and pulling the anterior strap tight, thereby wedging the scapula stabilization pad into the anterior lateral aspect of the scapula;

e) flexing the shoulder to 90 degrees on the side of the device;

f) grasping the elbow with the opposite hand and pulling the arms across midline to stretch the posterior shoulder.