Technique Of The Week | ||
PRI Supine Weighted Punch with Right Apical Expansion
What? This is the first PRI integrated technique for scapula thoracic stabilization for those who function in the right Brachial Chain pattern. It’s a supine technique that retracts and posterior tilts (externally rotates) the right scapula as symmetrical thoracic flexion and deactivation of latissimus is promoted via activation of the right lower trapezius and long head of the triceps during exhalation. The left subscapularis, because of it’s attachment to the medial part of the subscapular fossa, and the serratus anterior, because of it’s attachment to the outer surface and upper border of ribs 1-8, is co-activated during right apical expansion upon inhalation to stabilize the left thoracic-scapula joint in a left maximal zone of apposition with left internal rib rotation and through diaphragm opposition from the left internal obliques and transverse abdominis muscle. Why? The latissimus dorsum becomes a strong right humeral rotator and a strong left thoracic spine rotator and extender to the right below T6, because of it’s aponeurosis attachment to the thoracic, lumbar and sacral spines below T6, in the person with a strong left Anterior Interior Chain and right Brachial Chain pattern. To promote more thoracic function in the opposite pattern, especially with the right hand, thoracic flexion and thoracic-lumbar spinal rotation to the left below T6 is needed to promote left rib internal rotation, while contralateral rib external rotation allows better thoracic and apical expansion on the right during inhalation. Individuals who function primarily in the right Brachial Chain pattern develop weak right serratus anterior muscle for reaching, weak right tricep and lower trapezius during lifting and strong right humeral thoracic adductors. Consequently, they also develop weak left serratus anterior muscle for thoracic retraction, weaker left biceps and more than likely stronger left humeral thoracic abductors. This technique, in a tri-planar sense, neuro-mechanically reduces using mild to moderate dynamic resistance across left humeral glenoid internal rotators and ‘static’ resistance across right ulna-humeral, humeral-glenoid and glenoid-thoracic protraction with corrected concomitant thoracic position reflecting the normal respiratory function. When? This is a good technique to use for early intervention of respiratory mechanics with upper appendage assistance. Also a good technique to facilitate right lower trapezius and long head of the tricep function in an antigravitational position where influences of forward head posture and overuse of the upper trapezius can be minimized. It’s the best PRI proprioceptive technique to use for mechanical ventilatory retraining of the right upper quadrant or right Brachial Chain challenged individual. Where? This technique precedes all the other right low trap and tricep PRI techniques because it reinforces the inhalation process on the left using the left subscapularis, left serratus anterior, left internal obliques and left transverse abdominis, and the exhalation process on the right using the right lower trapezius, right long head of the triceps and right serratus anterior on those individuals who lack lower trunk or thoracic rotation to the left and upper thoracic rotation to the right. Who? Those who experience difficulty in expanding the right anterior-lateral thorax or left posterior mediastinal during inhalation, as objectively demonstrated by using the PRI Right Apical Expansion test, would benefit in assisting ‘air’ flow into the right lung and ‘air’ out of the left lung through thoracic-scapula repositioning using this basic neuro-mechanical, proprioceptive feed forward PRI non-manual technique. |
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