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How To Perform Cross-Body Lat Mobilization

ByMike Collins

Cross-Body Lat Mobilization is a revolutionary physical therapy technique that has been gaining traction in the sports medicine world. It seeks to address shoulder pain, rotator cuff tears, and instability, as well as improve thoracic spine mobility and create better movement patterns for upper extremity athletes like baseball players. The technique involves foam rolling, warm-up exercises, stretching of the shoulder blade muscles such as the serratus anterior and upper trapezius to stabilize the scapula, increasing humeral head control during horizontal adduction ROMs (range of motion), strengthening both internal and external rotation ROMs of the shoulder girdle through passive or assisted techniques with resistance bands or weights, improving hip mobility by focusing on hip internal rotation strength and conditioning exercises – all designed to reduce risk of injury while bench pressing or overhead activities.

Lat mobilization also works synergistically with other treatment modalities such as systematic reviews on exercise programs that include squats and pull-ups/pull-downs to increase strength & endurance over time with proper instruction from a physical therapist. In short – this comprehensive approach helps restore full function while reducing pain!

Instructions:

  1. Stand with your feet slightly staggered and shoulder-distance apart.
  2. Reach across your body towards the opposite shoulder while keeping your core tight and spine straight.
  3. Keeping both arms extended, slowly rotate at the hips to feel a gentle stretch in the left side of your upper body.
  4. Make sure to maintain tension in your scapulae, shoulders, and thoracic spine while rotating.
  5. Move as far as you can while maintaining good form until you feel a light stretch on both sides of your rotator cuff muscles.
  6. Hold the position for 15-30 seconds before repeating on the other side.

To enhance this exercise, use IASTM (Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization) tools such as foam rollers or massage balls to apply pressure along muscle fibers surrounding either shoulder joint – particularly underneath and posteriorly – before stretching out further with Lat Mobilizations for an improved range of motion and flexibility within those tissues. Monitor closely how patients feel throughout movements and adjust technique/intensity accordingly; ensuring any pain felt during exercise does not exceed 5-6 out of 10 on perceived discomfort scales.

Cross-Body style latissimus-dorsi mobilization is an exercise technique used to improve shoulder mobility and strength, particularly after shoulder arthroplasty or rotator cuff repair. This technique involves the active abduction of the shoulder across the body, to regain full ranges of motion and strengthen the rotator cuff and surrounding muscles.

Who Should Perform This Exercise?

Generally, CBLM is recommended for those who have undergone shoulder arthroplasty or rotator cuff repair. However, this exercise could also be beneficial to athletes or individuals looking to improve shoulder mobility and strength in general..

Benefits

The benefits of performing Cross Body Lat Mobilization include improved rotator cuff strength, better shoulder internal rotation ranges of motion, and improved glenohumeral joint stabilization. Additionally, studies have shown that this exercise can be beneficial for those with a rotator cuff tear as part of an overall sports medicine rehabilitation program. Furthermore, synergistic training involving Cross Body Lat Mobilization alongside other exercises such as foam rolling, bench pressing, and squats can help improve shoulder mobility and stability.

Finally, for those with rounded shoulders or shoulder impingement syndrome, perform a series of thoracic spine mobility activities and myofascial release exercises in between sets to improve thoracic extension, scapular upward rotation, and posterior shoulder tightness before progressing onto more specific strengthening exercises such as horizontal adduction, internal/external rotation ROM and weight bearing functional activities.