I spent almost a year doing exercises for the serratus anterior, because of my scapular dyskinesia, obtaining some results, but not completely fixing the problem. Now thanks to you, I understood that it's important to start from very easy exercise, for avoiding compensations, and to well activate the serratus anterior. Thank you so much
WOW. I found this video months ago when my chiro declared my xrays show some joint disintegration (age 32) and I have some impending arthritis. I began doing some of these floor exercises and had some relief from neck aches. Spending a dozen hours or more per day on the computer, I have some difficulty with arm, shoulder, neck, even jaw pain as a result of Thoracic Outlet I imagine. Months later after watching this instruction I am STILL retracting useful information out of it, my neck pain is either gone instantly after doing them or gone entirely if I am regular about the exercise. Awesome work, NO ONE knew they had so much difficulty with a shoulder blade muscle. Few knew that shoulder muscle existed. Nice work! +1
best seratus exercise, best video on this. You get right to the motions. I've watched a dozen vids with 99 percent talk then they take out the toy spine skeleton for more talk and then 22 seconds showing the movements ugggh (subscribed just for this)
Perfect exercise! It really does activate my serratus and takes a big load off of my back and shoulders. I feel relaxed for the first time in around 8 years or so.. big thanks! :)
You have played a huge role in teaching me a lot during my peak final year physiotherapy, right now I'm applying so much of what u teach during my internship. Thankyou so much Brent. Lots of good vibes from India.
I am a massage therapist who also is a CES. These exercises are fantastic, I never got the nitty gritty on serratus anterior but I notice it a common issue with a lot of my clients so this is extremely helpful especially even for myself! I love these videos!
Thank you so much for the support Wikked Jester. Much appreciated. Check out our website... maybe "Human Movement Specialist (HMS)" will be the next credential you will ad. Dr. B2
You know what? you just saved a man's life. I have a TOS, which needs to train serratus anterior, so I always did 'traditional' band-assisted wall slide which always fxcked up my TFCC. but with this exercise, It's just a life saver. thx
This is great, absolutely going to add this to my list! I've had so much troubles activating my serratus anterior and got somewhat winged scapular, and had almost no results from months of different "press up" excersises.
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I struggled to understand many terms which you have used to give a very nice and clear understanding of the topic .It would be of a great help and motivating if the subtitles are correct .. Being a Yoga and strength training coach I loved your video. Thank you for posting.
With months of professional high level help, I can finally do this exercise to the point where I actually feel fatigue and it is seriously effective. Thank you so much for this one it is going to get my the extension I desperately need.
This is exactly what you I've been looking for. so many physios do not cue the exercise for progression regression and then you compensate which worsens the problem
yes this is why so many go to PT for half a year with no progress with their function. Some PTs will look at you for 20 minutes in their office, then they have you do exercises for months without properly looking at how you do them, and you wonder why you aren't progressing. poor or no cues, poor individualizing of programs, exercises are too general or fail to find and adress compensations of the client. There are good therapists and bad ones, try find a good one that takes you seriously!
I do these exercises lying down with a resistance band. Do you think it is effective for scapula winging? Or does the pullover dumbbell exercise strengthen the sereatus anterior?🙏
You talk a lot like my personal trainer=??? However, I have to say that this video addresses pain that I have been experiencing while biking that I simply have not been able to calm down. Right on the ribs under the armpit and reaching up to the neck on one side. I'm pretty sure this is going to be a good exercise for me. Thank you so very much!
You're very welcome! Thank you for your support, we're glad you've found the content helpful! Check out BrookbushInstitute.com for more content like this!
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Won’t the lower traps overtake serratus anterior by far in this exercise during the upward rotation? At least that’s what I feel when doing it.. Is serratus anterior really working sufficiently (as far as I can tell my scapula does’n wing, I just want to strengthen my shoulder stabilizers and I’m already doing the YTWL circuit for a while)? Am I missing something? I’d be really really glad for an answer, thanks!!!
at 3:25, I don't understand how keeping the scapula depressed and downwardly rotated can force upward rotation during shoulder flexion. If the client successfully keeps the shoulder blade down, wouldn't this just cause impingement in the shoulder since the arm is being raised with depressed and downwardly rotated scapulas ?
I did not say "downwardly rotated"... depression with upward rotation is the goal. We are trying to prevent excessive elevation, or relative downward rotation in which the superior angle of the scapula elevate around a fixed glenoid fossa. I hope the helps, Dr. B2
i think you hit the key moment here, it it hard to explain, but i am able to cue this in my clients in standing by telling them to feel the scap acting as a counter weight the rising arm
Holy shit I just tried doing the variations against the wall and OMG it felt so good in the serratus. It's a really challenging exercise, but most important it goes straight into your serratus. Thanks for the exercise.
Hey Brent, these feel great and are helping me when other exercises aren’t working. What would you say is a good set/rep combo and how many times per week to aim for on these if starting from the first progression? (I can’t even get my thumbs to touch the floor with keeping tight form)
Hi Brent! What we cant make it to the ground and can only reach 90 degrees, for example. Do we try every day to see if we can get further? Or is there a baby step we should be doing before this? Thank you so much for your time! I’ve had rib problems for years and I think my serratus is part of the problem! Now if only I could figure out how to get it to participate.
Hi, These excercises are really good for the serratus. But unfortunately i have winged scapula and thus not able to complete these stretches 100 percent. Please make a video on how to correct winged scapula
Fantastic video! I feel really sore in the middle of my upper back the day after doing the wall angels. Between the shoulder blades. I'm not sure if this is a sign of doing things correctly or not! I also wonder if you should "feel" it in the Serratus Anterior when doing the excercise, in that case I'm not utilizing the muscle correctly.
Thank you Torgeir, Generally I find your complaint is related to thoracic mobility. Try some thoracic mobilizations before doing the exercise and see if you continue to feel the same symptoms in the middle of your back. As far as feeling it in your serratus anterior, I think most people do not... I wouldn't worry about feeling it as much as doing it correctly ;-) Dr. B2
If your shoulder dysfunction is really bad, and can you can't get your thumbs to the floor without scapular snapping, can you start from knees to 90 degrees of shoulder flexion, working your way to 120 degrees on up, etc? Or do you not activate the serratus anterior at this limited arc?
Great and informative video with exercises that really seem to work. I injured my shoulder during weightlifting months ago and almost over night developed significant winged scapula on one shoulder. Since then I can’t lift my arm up without my shoulder blade popping out. Will this exercise help pull the scapula back closer to my body?
Will a inactive serrated cause constant sore upper traps and levator scapula with back of neck really tight and head looking up to sky at rest position? I can’t seem to get my left side to fire up properly. How many weeks before I should see improvement? Thanks
If. We are supposed to keep our shoulder blades down , would it be better to perform these exercises on the floor before doing them against the wall or door ? I’m going thru thoracic z/ core exercises. I think my dad PT has me stretching & strengthening my stratus anterior muscles
If I had to prioritize two serratus exercises, would snow angels and wall slides with arms on foam roller (like your other video) be my best bet in terms of retraining appropriate motor contol?
Hey Gregory, It's not best and worst, but progressions and regressions. Snow angels on the floor are a regression from the Serratus Anterior Activation Progression with a foam roll and resisted external rotation. You could do both, but the idea is that snow angels on the floor would be progressed to snow angels on the wall, and then to the foam roll version with resisted external rotation. Hope that makes sense, Dr. B2
3:40. I buy the theory. But keeping scap depressed while forcing humeral elevation sounds potentially dangerous. Do you think there's any risk of supraspinatus impingement in patients with weak SA?
Hi Brent, loved the video clip! Thank you for posting good stuff. When patient is doing standing upward rotation, she complained the soreness of deltoid first and not was not able to do more reps. Would you consider the soreness due to weakness of her deltoid or she has an over-dominant deltoid during upward rotation. She complained about SA soreness 3 reps later. What would you do with this patient? Thanks.
Hey Lexie Liu, Check out my article on Upper Body Dysfunction - brentbrookbush.com/articles/postural-dysfunction-movement-impairment/upper-body-dysfunction-ubd/ Dr. B2
Great video, thank you! When I try the hands to floor exercise with scapular depression, my coracobrachialis on my right side feels really tight at about 45 degrees from the floor. Any ideas what could cause this?
You have an amazing explanation, exercises and voice :) I am looking for musculus supraspinatus - tendinosis exercises...in correlation with biceps tendinitis..but especially eccentric exercises for m. supraspinatus. thank You
Hello, when trying to perform the "floor angel" my left hand cannot reach the floor, it stays elevated around a 20° angle between the floor and my elbow, what could cause that? Something in my shoulder/upper back I guess, but what? Thank you.
Thank you for your video and useful information. If I may ask: does the neck get a work out too? When I progress to the wall and trying to reach with the thumbs, I get some activation in the neck muscles even though my chin is tucked.
Instant favorite. Thank you. I'm curious why upper trap contribution is not desired? I know in the NASM text they are often indicated as over active in upper body dysfunction... But in relation to getting the arms overhead, isn't the upward rotation desirable? Avoiding the levator scap makes sense to me since it is associated with downward rotation which is not what we want... I'd love to get your thoughts!!!
The upper trapezius can also anteriorly tip the scapula, which is associated with shoulder pathology and included in our predictive model of upper body dysfunction. Dr. B2
Sheesh. All the lingo these guys use. It makes them feel so cool. The older and more experienced you get, the less jargon you use and the better you get at explaining things in plain language.
Are you hating on big words? 😂 Fair enough point about jargon, but I personally found him easy to understand because he’s using the correct, precise terminology.
He's a physical therapist who teaches other physical therapists. I think this video is directed primarily at the people supervising the activity, NOT at the patients.
When I try to do the first exercise where I lay down, depress/retract my shoulder blades, and move my arms from my thighs upwwards to beside my head, I feel a sharp pinching pain at the front of my shoulders when I pass the 90 degree mark (as I get closer to my head). Is this a sign that I shouldn't do this exercise or that I should continue but with more care?
So that I better understand this concept, if a patients arms are not able to reach the floor when in supine(like the lady who could), they of course are lacking the ROM to even active SA muscle. The main muscles that would be limiting SA movement/activation are pec tightness and teres major tightness correct? So we could of course do these beginner exercises, but with a focus of stretching the pec and teres major so that appropriate activation can happen with SA. Right?
I definitely have the compensation pattern where "elevation is only elevation of the superior angle of the scapulae around a relatively fixed glenoid fossa." What should I be focusing on (releasing, keeping positition, ect) for this compensation?
Sorry if this has been asked already, but if a patient cannot make it to the wall without elevation, do you return to the floor or stop at the point of where elevation is occurring and work towards reaching the wall?
After 10 years of left side numbness and weakness I self diagnosed that I have inactive serratus thanks to this video. Did this for 2 days and I can feel like I awakened my left arm. Does this muscle weakness cause tricep tendinitis also? I suffered that too
Hey Alpa, Potentially, any case like yours would require a more in depth evaluation to give you a more definitive answer, but if the technique help... great. Knowing the reason why is less important than knowing how to make improvement. Dr. B2
My right Supraspinatus and Infraspinatus are permanently detached and my left supraspinatus is detached. My future bilateral corrections are reverse shoulders. What do you recommend to stay away from the knife?
Hi, I have a bulging disc c6 c7 advised serratus anterior exercises which only aggravate ; this is new one to me … would it be ok to do with this problem … my serratus is incredibly weak .
How can someone exercise the back muscles without having back spasms if they have the start of a hunch back from poor posture? Anytime I exercise my back muscles than they spasm, and on top of it I'm crippled for a week or two so any exercise I do do is basically waisted, and for the most part it's light weight if I use any,. Should I go to the clinic and see if I can get a steroid for a week or two just to activate the muscle cause I feel it's a little atrophy from lack of use for 30 years,. Pretty much worked in a kitchen my whole life too so constantly bending over either a low sink or table and on top of it I'm tall
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A regression to "Scaption on the floor"? Can you give an example of why you would need a further regression? Pectoralis minor, levator scapulae, rhomboids and thoracic mobilization would be the primary muscles and joint mobilizations you would want to consider. Dr. B2
First off: for my money, you put the best free content out. I love your strategic approach, and how clearly and concisely you communicate. I need a regression, because during the exercise i am faced with (too many) challenges, in three movement planes. 1 My shoulders are trying to ride 1 up towards my face (lev), 2 forward towards the ceiling (pec minor,rum) , 3 they also want to rotate inward (pec minor). And if that was not enough, my arms are trying to bend (brac). Hence, I was wondering if there was a pre version of this most excellent exercise.
THANK YOU!!! Just last year, I had to have rotator cuff surgery, (twice: the second time in Dec. to repair a "re-tear")... So, I'm EXTREMELY APPRECIATIVE, and Interested in Learning as much as I can, in order to help recover, and avoid any future problems!
I have winging scapulas and one shoulder is internally rotated. I was told by one PT that until you fix those issues especially the internal rotation, that there’s no point in strengthening the serratus b/c it’s like pissing in the wind. I think he may be right. Every time I was trying other exercises for the serratus, I would end up getting burning in both scapulas and the serratus posterior inferior, also the lats were killing me. So my question is what happens if I can’t fix the internal rotation am I never supposed to do strengthen the SA? I just don’t buy that. I’m going to try this exercise and hope/pray Brent’s exercise works.
What is your suggestion for getting the forearms lying on ground when doing the floor scaptions? Continue the scaptions until the forearms finally hit the ground or is there another exercise to help increase this full range of motion?
There are a lot of other exercises. Generally speaking Joshua, I never address any issue with just one technique. Mobility issues like you describe may come from thoracic mobility, scapular mobility or shoulder mobility issues. Checking out my article on Upper Body Dysfunction (UBD) may be a good place for you to get an idea of how to address the issue. Dr. B2
Great question, Think of this exercise as an exercise to work toward (starting with the lowest regression). Start with mobility and external rotator activation, then start adding cobra progressions... as symptoms reduce you should be able to add this exercise in. Dr. B2
Hey this video was really helpful. I recently have a winged scapula so I’m going to try this exercise. I just have a question. You mentioned that the shoulders stayed depressed the whole time but I wanted to know if your shoulder blades stay retracted the entire time as well? Thanks
Awesome demonstration i might be onto a solution for my 10y pain cycle. When doing the angel movement with my left serratus, i feel a strong resistance at about 80° when moving the arm down. I can overcome that resistance but it feels like as if the contracted serratus gets smashed between my upper lat and ribs. At about 30° it is gone again. This is also the side where i have chronic breathing and outer shoulderblade pain (teres major, maybe minor and infraspinatus) for ~10 years. Was a swimmer back then. Any idea what this is? Edit: It is also much less intense the further i have the arm backwards.
should your back be absolutely flat to the floor/wall when you do this? or is some room between your spine between the scapula and the floor acceptable? Great video!
Thank you for this what do u think how much time is needed (andy how many daily repetitions would be required) in order to reach to floor angels with good form (I can for example put my thumbs now on floor with excellent form) ?
This exercise is just one of many that should be included in a program to address upper body dysfunction. Although 1 set of 12 - 20 reps may be done daily of this exercise, my suggestion is to look at our video on Upper Body Dysufnction - brentbrookbush.com/articles/postural-dysfunction-movement-impairment/upper-body-dysfunction-ubd/Dr. B2
Hi so I have rounded shoulders and scapula winging. I tried the exercises and feel like I need to start on the very first exercises before I progress as I'm having to really think about depression and lumbar spine. How many sets/reps and frequency through the week do you suggest to progress with this please? Thank you.
Hi thank you for your great videos! I wanted to check my understanding of why you are trying to avoid protraction with the first exercise (shoulder flexion supine). From what I understand you retract (and posteriorly tip) the scapula to inhibit the pec minor. However, I know the serratus anterior protracts as well as upwardly rotates the scapula. So by doing the bilateral shoulder flexion w/ scapular retraction are you training the SA in just its upward rotation component? Should we expect that the inferior angles of the scapula to still reach midline? Thank you.
Yes we are sacrificing protraction to ensure we do not turn this into a pec minor exercise. The Serratus Anterior only know how to contract, so whether that is via upward rotation or protraction likely has little impact on the effectiveness of an exercise like this for activation and strengthening. As far as the inferior angles... they have to leave midline during upward rotation by definition. Dr. B2
Great Question Stellyboots, 1-2 sets, 12 -20 reps, slow controlled tempo, minimum 3 days per week, can be done every day. If this were part of a home exercise program for a client I would often combine it with other techniques and recommend one set, every day. Dr. B2
What if there's pain as arm raises into scaption? I feel a pinch in the front of the shoulder when the hand goes from thigh to about shoulder height. I have to slightly externally rotate the humerus so I can get that arm overhead. Could corachobrachialis be in need of release? I do know my serratus is weak. Scapula wings big time! :( Thank you!!
The coracobrachialis could be an issue, and that is good thinking, although my experience is that is a muscle that is not often involved. I would try to spend more time release your pec minor, levator scapulae, upper trap and rhomboids and more time working on thoracic mobilization. After that, try doing this exercise again and see if it helps. Dr. B2
Hello Dr. Brookbush, how would you approach a patient who is not able to actively retract shoulder blades? (Medical history doesn't provide info) Is this a tight serratus or inactive rhomboids? These clients seem to activate biceps tendon when trying to retract, even in a prone single arm exercise.
I would first look at pectoralis minor extensibility, thoracic mobility, and perhaps trapezius strength. You could do this through mobility and manual muscle testing, or you could try techniques to release the pectoralis minor, thoracic spine and activate the trapezius muscles.... relying on the patients concordant sign as your pre/post-test.
Once you go overhead your scapula wants to move and follow along cause that's what scapula should do, you must resist it. When you go towards the legs its easy to hold depression :D
Even the first one feels really hard to do trying to depress your shoulder blades throughout the whole movement towards the end range especially if you got rounded shoulders and some impingement going on, very interesting!
When doing well slides, having the correct form, I feel a pinch in my shoulder or like something is stuck. What does that mean? Please answer, I’ve been trying to figure it out for years.
Hi Brent I really love your videos. I'm 27 and in decent shape but I have upper back pain particularly in between my shoulder blades and my spine. When I activate my serratus anterior muscles, specifically moving downwards, in the left shoulder blade area I am feeling a grinding/cracking sound. It is mildly painful only on that side. I also hear the same sound when I roll my shoulders backwards. Do you recommend I continue? Or do you believe this will get better as I strengthen? I feel as if this problem may be causing my upper back pain. Also I do have a winging of my shoulder blades. Do you feel as if these exercises will address this problem? Thanks so much.
I have a huge scapular winging and rotator cuff issues on my right side, it seems like these are really good exercises to do for scapular winging is that correct? Also have rotator cuff impingement, so just checking if its ok to do these .. I notice when I do the thumb tipping on the floor that my right shoulder starts to fire up, particular under my armpit and under that, So i would guess that is my subscap and my serratus. Thanks.
Hard to tell exactly what you are feeling, but I would assume from your description that you either need to release your subscapularis prior to doing this exercise, or you are in fact feeling your serratus anterior. These exercises are fine for those with impingement syndrome, providing they do not exacerbate symptoms. Dr. B2
I have shoulder problems for a really long time, and now started to hurt like hell again. I felt my teres major which was sore for some reason. But I just found out that I have a labral tear :( Not due to an accident but over time it got torn more and more. Still have to go for an MRI or CT scan with some dye to show where the tear is, but pretty messed up. Thanks for your response anyway. Nice videos.
I have a labral tear in my shoulder too! I've been doing PT ever since I realized I tore my labrum. I highly suggest you do PT before considering surgery. Though a shoulder labrum cannot be repaired properly without surgery, it's recommended to do PT to strengthen the other rotator muscles in hopes to reduce pain.
Brian Phan I am doing some training now and it does feel better and less pain. But I still don't know whether I should just do training and never do surgery, or whether I should do surgery after all..
It depends on your end goal. Are you active in sports or weight lifting? If that's the case then surgery may be considered. I have a labral tear that produces a dull aching pain in the front/top of my shoulder where my long head bicep tendon is. The aching is consistent and produces no pain during movement. There are clicking noises when I move my shoulder around. If you're in a similar situation then I recommend not to do surgery. From my understanding if you decide to opt for surgery, the surgeon will detach your LHB tendon and position it deeper into your humerus head for more stability.
You are the man Dr. B2, I'm just curious as if this is also a lower trap exercise. I work in as a PTA in an outpatient clinic and a few of my collegues do a these exercisesfor the LT. Thanks for the vids
I've worked on thoracic mobilization and pec minor and lat stretch and release, but hit a sharp painful, and sudden block in shoulder flexion by the ear and can't seem to get the last few inches. Any specific region I should focus on?
If you are just doing 1 set to failure, then probably. Generally I recommend 2 times per day as an upper limit, but with some painful conditions this muscle will shutdown often. Just be aware of making yourself sore... not just the day of, but the next day as well. Dr. B2
When I lied down to do the arm raise with the thumbs, I couldn't go all the way back with my right arm because there's a really uncomfortable muscle shifting in the back of my arm. What in the world does that mean?
Sir my doctor said that I have ltn entrapment... My left shoulder protrudes more on comparison to the right one... I'm 22 years old... Doctor told me that ltn entrapment prevents blood supply to serratus anterior muscle.... Can I do this exercise.....
I need help. I tried this and my left shoulder keeps cracking. It does start hurting and it worries me, because I broke my shoulder when I was 12. Is that something I need to see a doctor about? Who do I go to and how do I explain that without jokes being made?
I am going to go out on a limb and take a guess here (since I cannot evaluate you by youtube message).... it sounds a bit like a lack of thoracic mobility. Have you tried thoracic mobilization exercises? Dr. B2
I spent almost a year doing exercises for the serratus anterior, because of my scapular dyskinesia, obtaining some results, but not completely fixing the problem. Now thanks to you, I understood that it's important to start from very easy exercise, for avoiding compensations, and to well activate the serratus anterior.
Thank you so much
WOW. I found this video months ago when my chiro declared my xrays show some joint disintegration (age 32) and I have some impending arthritis. I began doing some of these floor exercises and had some relief from neck aches. Spending a dozen hours or more per day on the computer, I have some difficulty with arm, shoulder, neck, even jaw pain as a result of Thoracic Outlet I imagine. Months later after watching this instruction I am STILL retracting useful information out of it, my neck pain is either gone instantly after doing them or gone entirely if I am regular about the exercise. Awesome work, NO ONE knew they had so much difficulty with a shoulder blade muscle. Few knew that shoulder muscle existed. Nice work! +1
best seratus exercise, best video on this. You get right to the motions. I've watched a dozen vids with 99 percent talk then they take out the toy spine skeleton for more talk and then 22 seconds showing the movements ugggh (subscribed just for this)
Perfect exercise! It really does activate my serratus and takes a big load off of my back and shoulders. I feel relaxed for the first time in around 8 years or so.. big thanks! :)
You are very welcome Jerry,
Love to hear personal accounts like yours ;-)
Dr. B2
You have played a huge role in teaching me a lot during my peak final year physiotherapy, right now I'm applying so much of what u teach during my internship. Thankyou so much Brent. Lots of good vibes from India.
Hey just curious. Since ur in India, I just wanted to ask. Where are u located? Can u help me rehab my serratus anterior?
I am a massage therapist who also is a CES. These exercises are fantastic, I never got the nitty gritty on serratus anterior but I notice it a common issue with a lot of my clients so this is extremely helpful especially even for myself! I love these videos!
Thank you so much for the support Wikked Jester. Much appreciated. Check out our website... maybe "Human Movement Specialist (HMS)" will be the next credential you will ad.
Dr. B2
You know what? you just saved a man's life. I have a TOS, which needs to train serratus anterior, so I always did 'traditional' band-assisted wall slide which always fxcked up my TFCC. but with this exercise, It's just a life saver. thx
Glad we could help!
This is great, absolutely going to add this to my list! I've had so much troubles activating my serratus anterior and got somewhat winged scapular, and had almost no results from months of different "press up" excersises.
Hope there are a couple of suggestions in here that give you great results.
Dr. B2
how were the results? did you fix your winged scapula?
How did it wrok out
Your explanation is really the best. Understanding how to inhibit the synergistic muscle is key in orden to do the exercise correctly. Thanks a lot.
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I struggled to understand many terms which you have used to give a very nice and clear understanding of the topic .It would be of a great help and motivating if the subtitles are correct .. Being a Yoga and strength training coach I loved your video. Thank you for posting.
With months of professional high level help, I can finally do this exercise to the point where I actually feel fatigue and it is seriously effective. Thank you so much for this one it is going to get my the extension I desperately need.
That's great to hear Colin! You're very welcome!
What a wimp
This is exactly what you I've been looking for. so many physios do not cue the exercise for progression regression and then you compensate which worsens the problem
yes this is why so many go to PT for half a year with no progress with their function. Some PTs will look at you for 20 minutes in their office, then they have you do exercises for months without properly looking at how you do them, and you wonder why you aren't progressing. poor or no cues, poor individualizing of programs, exercises are too general or fail to find and adress compensations of the client. There are good therapists and bad ones, try find a good one that takes you seriously!
Жаль, что я не видела этот ролик 6 лет назад. Огромная благодарность этому человеку!
I do these exercises lying down with a resistance band. Do you think it is effective for scapula winging? Or does the pullover dumbbell exercise strengthen the sereatus anterior?🙏
You talk a lot like my personal trainer=??? However, I have to say that this video addresses pain that I have been experiencing while biking that I simply have not been able to calm down. Right on the ribs under the armpit and reaching up to the neck on one side. I'm pretty sure this is going to be a good exercise for me. Thank you so very much!
I am always happy to help. Amazing what a little knowledge, research and some creativity can do ;-)
Dr. B2
Do you have exercises for the serrato posterior inferior injury?
Wow. It’s really hard. Upward rotation with depression! Thanks for uploading this video.
That is very true... I like to call stuff like this "Deceptively Hard"
Dr. B2
Seems you are next level, thank you for all your videos.
You're very welcome! Thank you for your support, we're glad you've found the content helpful! Check out BrookbushInstitute.com for more content like this!
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Won’t the lower traps overtake serratus anterior by far in this exercise during the upward rotation? At least that’s what I feel when doing it.. Is serratus anterior really working sufficiently (as far as I can tell my scapula does’n wing, I just want to strengthen my shoulder stabilizers and I’m already doing the YTWL circuit for a while)? Am I missing something? I’d be really really glad for an answer, thanks!!!
at 3:25, I don't understand how keeping the scapula depressed and downwardly rotated can force upward rotation during shoulder flexion. If the client successfully keeps the shoulder blade down, wouldn't this just cause impingement in the shoulder since the arm is being raised with depressed and downwardly rotated scapulas ?
I did not say "downwardly rotated"... depression with upward rotation is the goal. We are trying to prevent excessive elevation, or relative downward rotation in which the superior angle of the scapula elevate around a fixed glenoid fossa.
I hope the helps,
Dr. B2
Ok I understand now, thank you for the response
Of course
Dr. B2
i think you hit the key moment here, it it hard to explain, but i am able to cue this in my clients in standing by telling them to feel the scap acting as a counter weight the rising arm
That's a good use of imagery, I'm gonna try that out.
Fantastic pearls. What do you think about using a wedge to get people started who have fixed issues and are just way too tight?
yesss! this is the first video I've seen that makes SURE the pec minor doesn't take over
Holy shit I just tried doing the variations against the wall and OMG it felt so good in the serratus. It's a really challenging exercise, but most important it goes straight into your serratus. Thanks for the exercise.
Amazing video. This explanation has given me critical points to work on for rehabbing my shoulders. Thank you so much
Is this exercise sufficient for training the serratus anterior or is it just to get a feeling for this muscle? I have very extreme angel wings
Will this help with shoulder impingement, I'm doing regular prescribed movements with bands, I'm getting a little more mobile but not much?
Hey Brent, these feel great and are helping me when other exercises aren’t working. What would you say is a good set/rep combo and how many times per week to aim for on these if starting from the first progression? (I can’t even get my thumbs to touch the floor with keeping tight form)
Hi Brent! What we cant make it to the ground and can only reach 90 degrees, for example. Do we try every day to see if we can get further? Or is there a baby step we should be doing before this?
Thank you so much for your time! I’ve had rib problems for years and I think my serratus is part of the problem! Now if only I could figure out how to get it to participate.
thank you for actually explaining why and not just what.
Is there a difference to exercise for lateral or medial scapula winging ?
Hi, These excercises are really good for the serratus. But unfortunately i have winged scapula and thus not able to complete these stretches 100 percent. Please make a video on how to correct winged scapula
You cant have winged scapula when you use your serratus Anterior.
You might be mistaking using the serratus with using your lat?
Fantastic video!
I feel really sore in the middle of my upper back the day after doing the wall angels. Between the shoulder blades. I'm not sure if this is a sign of doing things correctly or not!
I also wonder if you should "feel" it in the Serratus Anterior when doing the excercise, in that case I'm not utilizing the muscle correctly.
Thank you Torgeir,
Generally I find your complaint is related to thoracic mobility. Try some thoracic mobilizations before doing the exercise and see if you continue to feel the same symptoms in the middle of your back.
As far as feeling it in your serratus anterior, I think most people do not... I wouldn't worry about feeling it as much as doing it correctly ;-)
Dr. B2
If your shoulder dysfunction is really bad, and can you can't get your thumbs to the floor without scapular snapping, can you start from knees to 90 degrees of shoulder flexion, working your way to 120 degrees on up, etc? Or do you not activate the serratus anterior at this limited arc?
Great and informative video with exercises that really seem to work. I injured my shoulder during weightlifting months ago and almost over night developed significant winged scapula on one shoulder. Since then I can’t lift my arm up without my shoulder blade popping out. Will this exercise help pull the scapula back closer to my body?
Will a inactive serrated cause constant sore upper traps and levator scapula with back of neck really tight and head looking up to sky at rest position? I can’t seem to get my left side to fire up properly. How many weeks before I should see improvement? Thanks
You mention anterior pelvic tilt. Is it more difficult to engage the serratus anterior when you are anteriorly tilted at the pelvis?
I am not sure if I am activating my serratus anterior. When you say to keep your shoulders down-do you mean the tops of the shoulders-
If. We are supposed to keep our shoulder blades down , would it be better to perform these exercises on the floor before doing them against the wall or door ? I’m going thru thoracic z/ core exercises. I think my dad PT has me stretching & strengthening my stratus anterior muscles
can this movement be done with a dumbbell or pulley?
If I had to prioritize two serratus exercises, would snow angels and wall slides with arms on foam roller (like your other video) be my best bet in terms of retraining appropriate motor contol?
Hey Gregory,
It's not best and worst, but progressions and regressions. Snow angels on the floor are a regression from the Serratus Anterior Activation Progression with a foam roll and resisted external rotation. You could do both, but the idea is that snow angels on the floor would be progressed to snow angels on the wall, and then to the foam roll version with resisted external rotation.
Hope that makes sense,
Dr. B2
3:40. I buy the theory. But keeping scap depressed while forcing humeral elevation sounds potentially dangerous. Do you think there's any risk of supraspinatus impingement in patients with weak SA?
alo2acs the scap is upward rotating
Hi , I have shoulder problems , who would you recommend I go see to fix any shoulder problems . Than you.
in supination position, should we keep posterior pelvic tilt ( lower back flat)
Hi Brent, loved the video clip! Thank you for posting good stuff. When patient is doing standing upward rotation, she complained the soreness of deltoid first and not was not able to do more reps. Would you consider the soreness due to weakness of her deltoid or she has an over-dominant deltoid during upward rotation. She complained about SA soreness 3 reps later. What would you do with this patient? Thanks.
Hey Lexie Liu,
Check out my article on Upper Body Dysfunction - brentbrookbush.com/articles/postural-dysfunction-movement-impairment/upper-body-dysfunction-ubd/
Dr. B2
Great video, thank you! When I try the hands to floor exercise with scapular depression, my coracobrachialis on my right side feels really tight at about 45 degrees from the floor. Any ideas what could cause this?
You have an amazing explanation, exercises and voice :) I am looking for musculus supraspinatus - tendinosis exercises...in correlation with biceps tendinitis..but especially eccentric exercises for m. supraspinatus. thank You
fantastic. you solved a 2 year mystery for me!
Hello, when trying to perform the "floor angel" my left hand cannot reach the floor, it stays elevated around a 20° angle between the floor and my elbow, what could cause that? Something in my shoulder/upper back I guess, but what? Thank you.
Thank you for your video and useful information. If I may ask: does the neck get a work out too? When I progress to the wall and trying to reach with the thumbs, I get some activation in the neck muscles even though my chin is tucked.
Yes upper trapezius does upward rotation as well
Instant favorite. Thank you. I'm curious why upper trap contribution is not desired? I know in the NASM text they are often indicated as over active in upper body dysfunction... But in relation to getting the arms overhead, isn't the upward rotation desirable? Avoiding the levator scap makes sense to me since it is associated with downward rotation which is not what we want... I'd love to get your thoughts!!!
The upper trapezius can also anteriorly tip the scapula, which is associated with shoulder pathology and included in our predictive model of upper body dysfunction.
Dr. B2
Thank you for the response. That is helpful!
brentbrookbush.com/articles/postural-dysfunction-movement-impairment/upper-body-dysfunction-ubd/
is it difficult to do this when you have a winged scapula..but great exc.!
Sheesh. All the lingo these guys use. It makes them feel so cool. The older and more experienced you get, the less jargon you use and the better you get at explaining things in plain language.
Are you hating on big words? 😂 Fair enough point about jargon, but I personally found him easy to understand because he’s using the correct, precise terminology.
I am old, back when I was young some of my old hard nosed bosses would have said, cut the ____ and get to the point or carry your ____ . 😂😂😂
He's a physical therapist who teaches other physical therapists. I think this video is directed primarily at the people supervising the activity, NOT at the patients.
When I try to do the first exercise where I lay down, depress/retract my shoulder blades, and move my arms from my thighs upwwards to beside my head, I feel a sharp pinching pain at the front of my shoulders when I pass the 90 degree mark (as I get closer to my head). Is this a sign that I shouldn't do this exercise or that I should continue but with more care?
Can this be used as a workout to make serratus anterior look better also can i use light dumbells for more intense workout
So that I better understand this concept, if a patients arms are not able to reach the floor when in supine(like the lady who could), they of course are lacking the ROM to even active SA muscle. The main muscles that would be limiting SA movement/activation are pec tightness and teres major tightness correct? So we could of course do these beginner exercises, but with a focus of stretching the pec and teres major so that appropriate activation can happen with SA. Right?
Best ever video, very helpful
Tks boss
I definitely have the compensation pattern where "elevation is only elevation of the superior angle of the scapulae around a relatively fixed glenoid fossa." What should I be focusing on (releasing, keeping positition, ect) for this compensation?
Hey Nathan,
You answered your own question... you should release downward rotators and activate upward rotators ;-)
Dr. B2
Sorry if this has been asked already, but if a patient cannot make it to the wall without elevation, do you return to the floor or stop at the point of where elevation is occurring and work towards reaching the wall?
Sure,
Although, maybe I would return to assessment and look for additional mobility issue.
Dr. B2
After 10 years of left side numbness and weakness I self diagnosed that I have inactive serratus thanks to this video. Did this for 2 days and I can feel like I awakened my left arm. Does this muscle weakness cause tricep tendinitis also? I suffered that too
Hey Alpa,
Potentially, any case like yours would require a more in depth evaluation to give you a more definitive answer, but if the technique help... great. Knowing the reason why is less important than knowing how to make improvement.
Dr. B2
My right Supraspinatus and Infraspinatus are permanently detached and my left supraspinatus is detached. My future bilateral corrections are reverse shoulders. What do you recommend to stay away from the knife?
Question: If your keeping the scapula retracted through the motion, wouldn't this just fight the motion of the serratus anterior as a protractor?
I think it just prevents elevation
Hi, I have a bulging disc c6 c7 advised serratus anterior exercises which only aggravate ; this is new one to me … would it be ok to do with this problem … my serratus is incredibly weak .
How can someone exercise the back muscles without having back spasms if they have the start of a hunch back from poor posture? Anytime I exercise my back muscles than they spasm, and on top of it I'm crippled for a week or two so any exercise I do do is basically waisted, and for the most part it's light weight if I use any,. Should I go to the clinic and see if I can get a steroid for a week or two just to activate the muscle cause I feel it's a little atrophy from lack of use for 30 years,. Pretty much worked in a kitchen my whole life too so constantly bending over either a low sink or table and on top of it I'm tall
How can you depress and upward rotate at the same time ?
M going to add this to my workout
We're so happy you've found our content useful! Let us know how it goes! We just recently added our business to Google my Business, would you mind leaving a quick review? g.page/r/CR1LsEAZ5W6AEBM/review
How long did it take to see since correction with this
which releases in addition to lats and pec minor to do before hand , and do you have a regression?
A regression to "Scaption on the floor"? Can you give an example of why you would need a further regression?
Pectoralis minor, levator scapulae, rhomboids and thoracic mobilization would be the primary muscles and joint mobilizations you would want to consider.
Dr. B2
First off: for my money, you put the best free content out. I love your strategic approach, and how clearly and concisely you communicate.
I need a regression, because during the exercise i am faced with (too many) challenges, in three movement planes.
1 My shoulders are trying to ride 1 up towards my face (lev),
2 forward towards the ceiling (pec minor,rum) ,
3 they also want to rotate inward (pec minor).
And if that was not enough, my arms are trying to bend (brac). Hence, I was wondering if there was a pre version of this most excellent exercise.
IMHO: THIS IS AN EXCELLENT VIDEO!!!! THANK YOU!!!!
Thank you Guloguloguy... I hope you get a chance to check-out all we have to offer at BrentBrookbush.com
THANK YOU!!! Just last year, I had to have rotator cuff surgery, (twice: the second time in Dec. to repair a "re-tear")... So, I'm EXTREMELY APPRECIATIVE, and Interested in Learning as much as I can, in order to help recover, and avoid any future problems!
What are some end range strengthening exercises?
These vids would be so much better if they used plain language...🙄
Finally found something where i can use my depression 😅
lmfao
😹
I have winging scapulas and one shoulder is internally rotated. I was told by one PT that until you fix those issues especially the internal rotation, that there’s no point in strengthening the serratus b/c it’s like pissing in the wind. I think he may be right. Every time I was trying other exercises for the serratus, I would end up getting burning in both scapulas and the serratus posterior inferior, also the lats were killing me. So my question is what happens if I can’t fix the internal rotation am I never supposed to do strengthen the SA? I just don’t buy that. I’m going to try this exercise and hope/pray Brent’s exercise works.
Can we also do this exercise with legs straight?
What is your suggestion for getting the forearms lying on ground when doing the floor scaptions? Continue the scaptions until the forearms finally hit the ground or is there another exercise to help increase this full range of motion?
There are a lot of other exercises. Generally speaking Joshua, I never address any issue with just one technique. Mobility issues like you describe may come from thoracic mobility, scapular mobility or shoulder mobility issues. Checking out my article on Upper Body Dysfunction (UBD) may be a good place for you to get an idea of how to address the issue.
Dr. B2
what about for patients with impingement that make elevation hurt?
Great question,
Think of this exercise as an exercise to work toward (starting with the lowest regression). Start with mobility and external rotator activation, then start adding cobra progressions... as symptoms reduce you should be able to add this exercise in.
Dr. B2
Hey this video was really helpful. I recently have a winged scapula so I’m going to try this exercise. I just have a question. You mentioned that the shoulders stayed depressed the whole time but I wanted to know if your shoulder blades stay retracted the entire time as well? Thanks
Hi Cam, try just keeping your shoulder blades depressed, restriction may lead to your chest puffing out and you want to feel your back on the floor.
Awesome demonstration i might be onto a solution for my 10y pain cycle.
When doing the angel movement with my left serratus, i feel a strong resistance at about 80° when moving the arm down. I can overcome that resistance but it feels like as if the contracted serratus gets smashed between my upper lat and ribs. At about 30° it is gone again. This is also the side where i have chronic breathing and outer shoulderblade pain (teres major, maybe minor and infraspinatus) for ~10 years. Was a swimmer back then.
Any idea what this is?
Edit: It is also much less intense the further i have the arm backwards.
Any update on this? I have the exact same issue in the exact same range of motion. Feels like it gets caught on my ribs/upper lat
should your back be absolutely flat to the floor/wall when you do this? or is some room between your spine between the scapula and the floor acceptable? Great video!
Useful info starts at 4:18
Shield University it’s all useful information
Thank you for this what do u think how much time is needed (andy how many daily repetitions would be required) in order to reach to floor angels with good form (I can for example put my thumbs now on floor with excellent form) ?
This exercise is just one of many that should be included in a program to address upper body dysfunction. Although 1 set of 12 - 20 reps may be done daily of this exercise, my suggestion is to look at our video on Upper Body Dysufnction - brentbrookbush.com/articles/postural-dysfunction-movement-impairment/upper-body-dysfunction-ubd/Dr. B2
Hi so I have rounded shoulders and scapula winging. I tried the exercises and feel like I need to start on the very first exercises before I progress as I'm having to really think about depression and lumbar spine. How many sets/reps and frequency through the week do you suggest to progress with this please? Thank you.
Hi thank you for your great videos! I wanted to check my understanding of why you are trying to avoid protraction with the first exercise (shoulder flexion supine). From what I understand you retract (and posteriorly tip) the scapula to inhibit the pec minor. However, I know the serratus anterior protracts as well as upwardly rotates the scapula. So by doing the bilateral shoulder flexion w/ scapular retraction are you training the SA in just its upward rotation component? Should we expect that the inferior angles of the scapula to still reach midline? Thank you.
Yes we are sacrificing protraction to ensure we do not turn this into a pec minor exercise. The Serratus Anterior only know how to contract, so whether that is via upward rotation or protraction likely has little impact on the effectiveness of an exercise like this for activation and strengthening. As far as the inferior angles... they have to leave midline during upward rotation by definition.
Dr. B2
Just one question: how many reps, how many sets, can we do these every day or skip a day? Thanks!
Great Question Stellyboots,
1-2 sets, 12 -20 reps, slow controlled tempo, minimum 3 days per week, can be done every day.
If this were part of a home exercise program for a client I would often combine it with other techniques and recommend one set, every day.
Dr. B2
What if there's pain as arm raises into scaption? I feel a pinch in the front of the shoulder when the hand goes from thigh to about shoulder height. I have to slightly externally rotate the humerus so I can get that arm overhead. Could corachobrachialis be in need of release? I do know my serratus is weak. Scapula wings big time! :( Thank you!!
The coracobrachialis could be an issue, and that is good thinking, although my experience is that is a muscle that is not often involved. I would try to spend more time release your pec minor, levator scapulae, upper trap and rhomboids and more time working on thoracic mobilization. After that, try doing this exercise again and see if it helps.
Dr. B2
Brent Brookbush You are THE BEST!! Love your videos. Thank you!
Hello Dr. Brookbush, how would you approach a patient who is not able to actively retract shoulder blades? (Medical history doesn't provide info) Is this a tight serratus or inactive rhomboids? These clients seem to activate biceps tendon when trying to retract, even in a prone single arm exercise.
I would first look at pectoralis minor extensibility, thoracic mobility, and perhaps trapezius strength. You could do this through mobility and manual muscle testing, or you could try techniques to release the pectoralis minor, thoracic spine and activate the trapezius muscles.... relying on the patients concordant sign as your pre/post-test.
I feel my shoulder moving when i do the raising part and then move again when going down should i worry about this
Considering 1st exercise, where is the most important part of fighting shoulder depression? Going overhead or coming back towards the legs?
Once you go overhead your scapula wants to move and follow along cause that's what scapula should do, you must resist it. When you go towards the legs its easy to hold depression :D
Even the first one feels really hard to do trying to depress your shoulder blades throughout the whole movement towards the end range especially if you got rounded shoulders and some impingement going on, very interesting!
Keep working on it! Not an easy exercise for most!
When doing well slides, having the correct form, I feel a pinch in my shoulder or like something is stuck. What does that mean? Please answer, I’ve been trying to figure it out for years.
Hi Brent I really love your videos.
I'm 27 and in decent shape but I have upper back pain particularly in between my shoulder blades and my spine. When I activate my serratus anterior muscles, specifically moving downwards, in the left shoulder blade area I am feeling a grinding/cracking sound. It is mildly painful only on that side. I also hear the same sound when I roll my shoulders backwards. Do you recommend I continue? Or do you believe this will get better as I strengthen? I feel as if this problem may be causing my upper back pain. Also I do have a winging of my shoulder blades. Do you feel as if these exercises will address this problem?
Thanks so much.
any luck?
I have a huge scapular winging and rotator cuff issues on my right side, it seems like these are really good exercises to do for scapular winging is that correct? Also have rotator cuff impingement, so just checking if its ok to do these .. I notice when I do the thumb tipping on the floor that my right shoulder starts to fire up, particular under my armpit and under that, So i would guess that is my subscap and my serratus. Thanks.
Hard to tell exactly what you are feeling, but I would assume from your description that you either need to release your subscapularis prior to doing this exercise, or you are in fact feeling your serratus anterior.
These exercises are fine for those with impingement syndrome, providing they do not exacerbate symptoms.
Dr. B2
I have shoulder problems for a really long time, and now started to hurt like hell again. I felt my teres major which was sore for some reason. But I just found out that I have a labral tear :( Not due to an accident but over time it got torn more and more. Still have to go for an MRI or CT scan with some dye to show where the tear is, but pretty messed up. Thanks for your response anyway. Nice videos.
I have a labral tear in my shoulder too! I've been doing PT ever since I realized I tore my labrum. I highly suggest you do PT before considering surgery. Though a shoulder labrum cannot be repaired properly without surgery, it's recommended to do PT to strengthen the other rotator muscles in hopes to reduce pain.
Brian Phan I am doing some training now and it does feel better and less pain. But I still don't know whether I should just do training and never do surgery, or whether I should do surgery after all..
It depends on your end goal. Are you active in sports or weight lifting? If that's the case then surgery may be considered. I have a labral tear that produces a dull aching pain in the front/top of my shoulder where my long head bicep tendon is. The aching is consistent and produces no pain during movement. There are clicking noises when I move my shoulder around. If you're in a similar situation then I recommend not to do surgery. From my understanding if you decide to opt for surgery, the surgeon will detach your LHB tendon and position it deeper into your humerus head for more stability.
You are the man Dr. B2,
I'm just curious as if this is also a lower trap exercise. I work in as a PTA in an outpatient clinic and a few of my collegues do a these exercisesfor the LT.
Thanks for the vids
Hey Neelash,
Yes, the lower traps are also heavily recruited in this exercise.
Dr. B2
I've worked on thoracic mobilization and pec minor and lat stretch and release, but hit a sharp painful, and sudden block in shoulder flexion by the ear and can't seem to get the last few inches. Any specific region I should focus on?
Have you tried levator scapular and upper trapezius release?
Dr. B2
Yes, I have. I am thinking that first rib mobilization might help. What do you think?
Not a bad idea, just make sure you "assess-address-reassess" and that you find someone you trust to perform the technique ;-)
Dr. B2
This is the best video and explanation I’ve ever seen. Love the progression... can’t wait to try this!!!! Thank you 🙏
Thank you for the support, let me know how it goes.
Dr. B2
great explanation, i'm going to fit this into my yoga core class!
Love it... Integrated Practice!
Can i do this exercise trice in a day
If you are just doing 1 set to failure, then probably. Generally I recommend 2 times per day as an upper limit, but with some painful conditions this muscle will shutdown often. Just be aware of making yourself sore... not just the day of, but the next day as well.
Dr. B2
excellent video with excellent explanation and rationale
When I lied down to do the arm raise with the thumbs, I couldn't go all the way back with my right arm because there's a really uncomfortable muscle shifting in the back of my arm. What in the world does that mean?
It may be your posterior deltoid. Look up Posterior Deltoid Release and see if that helps.
Dr. B2
Sir my doctor said that I have ltn entrapment... My left shoulder protrudes more on comparison to the right one... I'm 22 years old... Doctor told me that ltn entrapment prevents blood supply to serratus anterior muscle.... Can I do this exercise.....
I need help. I tried this and my left shoulder keeps cracking. It does start hurting and it worries me, because I broke my shoulder when I was 12. Is that something I need to see a doctor about? Who do I go to and how do I explain that without jokes being made?
What does it mean if I feel tired and sore in the mid-lower trap area even after a few repetitions of the first progression?
I am going to go out on a limb and take a guess here (since I cannot evaluate you by youtube message).... it sounds a bit like a lack of thoracic mobility. Have you tried thoracic mobilization exercises?
Dr. B2