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.

What is claimed: 
     
         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.