Types of Body Movements: Shoulder Abduction
Table of Contents
What Is Shoulder Abduction
You may have heard of the term Shoulder Abduction before, but are unsure of what it means. In simple terms, Shoulder Abduction is when the arm is moving away from the middle of the body. Many exercises feature Shoulder Abduction such as when you are performing the Lateral Raise.
Remember that Shoulder Abduction is when you are moving the arm away from the middle of the body. The initial part of a Jumping Jack when you are raising the arms above the head is an example of Shoulder Abduction.
Shoulder Abduction
Shoulder Abduction is the opposite of Shoulder Adduction. Shoulder Adduction occurs when you bring the arm towards the middle of the body.
Shoulder Abduction involves the Glenohumeral Joint. This is where the Head of the Humerus inserts into the Glenoid Fossa of the Scapula. Without this joint and its stabilizing muscles, we would not be able to perform Shoulder Abduction.
Shoulder Abduction Test
Shoulder Abduction Tests or Shoulder Abduction Signs are physical tests that are used to identify if a patient is positive for various types of pathologies, such as Cervical Root Pathology. To conduct a Shoulder Abduction Test, have the patient sitting in an upright position. Ask the patient to perform Shoulder Abduction by bringing their hand up to rest on the top of the head. If the patient’s symptoms are relieved with Shoulder Abduction, this indicates a positive test.
Shoulder Horizontal Abduction
Shoulder Horizontal Abduction is when you Abduct the Shoulder in the Horizontal Plane. Begin with your arm extended straight in front of the body and in line with the shoulder. Next, move your arm horizontally out to the side so that the hand is always in line with the shoulder. Shoulder Horizontal Abduction can be seen during the Banded Pull Apart exercise, where you begin with both arms in front of the body, and end with both arms extended out towards each side of the body. Shoulder Horizontal Abduction is a great exercise to increase strength in the Deltoids, Infraspinatus and Teres Minor.
Shoulder Abduction Muscles
When you perform Shoulder Abduction, many muscles in the shoulder and upper back are activated. The main Shoulder Abduction Muscles include,
Abduction of Shoulder
The Abduction of the Shoulder is important for shoulder health. The inability to perform Shoulder Abduction can be indicative of possible shoulder pathology and can result in various symptoms. When performing Abduction of the Shoulder, each of the primary muscles contributes in varying amounts to complete the full Abduction of the Shoulder. The Supraspinatus Abducts the arm to 15 degrees, the Deltoid from 15-90 degrees, and the Trapezius and Serratus Anterior work together to Abduct the Shoulder to beyond 90 degrees.
Shoulder Abduction Exercises
There are a few exercises that involve Shoulder Abduction. Some Shoulder Abduction Exercise include,
Shoulder Abduction Pain
Experiencing Shoulder Abduction Pain can be indicative of a Shoulder Impingement. This occurs when a muscle or tendon gets caught in the bones of the Shoulder. This can be painful and create the inability to Abduct the Shoulder. Shoulder Abduction Pain can be caused by the overuse of the Shoulder Joint and various injuries to the Rotator Cuff. In some instances, some people have a narrow Subacromial Space, which can increase the likelihood of Shoulder Impingement.
There are many symptoms of Shoulder Abduction Pain including decreased range of motion, pain with movement, pain when sleeping, swelling and radiating pain. You Doctor will be able to perform certain tests to see if you have Shoulder Impingement and provide you with an appropriate treatment plan.
Prime Mover for Shoulder Abduction
The prime mover for Shoulder Abduction is the Deltoid. Specifically, the Medial Deltoid.
Shoulder Abduction Pillow
A Shoulder Abduction Pillow is a sling for the arm that will provide support after you’ve have had a surgery or suffered an injury. These Shoulder Abduction Pillows have a cushion that will allow the arm to be separated from the body without having to engage the muscles that are involved in Shoulder Abduction.
Shoulder Abduction Degrees
As we previously mentioned, the muscles that Abduct the Shoulder will contribute to a certain number of degrees of Abduction. The Supraspinatus initiates Shoulder Abduction to 15 degrees. Next, the Deltoid will Abduct the Shoulder from 15-90 degrees. Finally, the Trapezius and the Serratus Anterior will Abduct the Shoulder beyond 90 degrees.
Shoulder Abduction Sling
A Shoulder Abduction Sling is the same as a Shoulder Abduction Pillow. It helps to unload the muscles involved in the Abduction of the Shoulder after an injury or surgery to the shoulder.
Shoulder Abduction Relief Sign
Shoulder Abduction Relief Sign is another name for the Shoulder Abduction Test that we described above. While seated upright, ask the patient to place the symptomatic arm on top of the head. If the patient’s symptoms are relieved, it is a positive test for Cervical Root Pathology.
Shoulder Abduction Goniometry
A Goniometer is a device that is used to measure the range of motion of the joints. To observe Shoulder Abduction Goniometry, place the axis near the Acromion Process, the stationary arm parallel to the Sternum and the moving arm on top of the Humerus. A normal range of motion for Shoulder Abduction is 150 degrees.
Shoulder Abduction Stretch
A Shoulder Abduction Stretch can be done using a wall or table slide. Have a seat beside a table that is just below shoulder height. Extend the arm across the table and slide the wrist forwards so that the armpit and head are coming closer to the table. Return to the starting position and repeat the movement. It can be helpful to place a towel under the wrist to help the arm slide back and forth.
If performing the wall side, have a seat beside a wall with your fingertips resting on the wall at shoulder height. Slowly climb up the wall with your fingers until you feel a stretch in the shoulder. Hold this position for 30 seconds and then switch sides.
Abduction Brace Shoulder
The Abduction Brace Shoulder is another term for the Shoulder Abduction Sling and the Shoulder Abduction Pillow.
