The combined shoulder technique: A novel approach in the treatment of scapular dysfunction-a case report

Abstract

Athletes who throw overhead experience injuries to their throwing shoulders secondary to the mechanics of throwing.1 The process of throwing is a coordinated, complex set of movements known as the kinetic chain.1,2 Disruption anywhere about this chain can result in injury to the throwing shoulder.1-3 The scapula's interaction with the thoracic cage allows for normal motion, and injury or imbalance of the scapular stabilizers can result in SICK scapular syndrome and this, in turn, can result in an injury to the glenohumeral joint itself. Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) can be utilized to restore the kinetic chain to its full function and to decrease SICK scapular syndrome, thereby preventing injury and treating it if it occurs. The present case will demonstrate this and introduce a novel technique to treat the entire shoulder joint.