Pectoralis major & Minor Test
Patient Position
- Have the patient lie in the supine position on a flat surface.
Directions
- 1.) Ask the patient to grasp their hands together behind their head. Instruct the patient to relax allowing their elbows to fall to their sides.
- 2.) Ask the patient to place their hands under their buttocks muscles and while keeping their arms straight touch the middle finger of one hand to the middle finger of the opposite hand.
Expected Results
- 1.) Patients Elbows should fall to the side contacting the table creating a straight line from one elbow to the opposite elbow.
- 2.) Patients posterior shoulder should stay in contact with the table when placed in this position. You may use your hand to feel for free space under the shoulder.
Positive Signs
- 1.) The patient's arms do not fall flat to the table and there is an obvious angle from one elbow to the opposite elbow.
- 2.) The posterior portion of the patient's shoulders do not contact the table leaving visible space between the shoulder and the table.
Implications
- A positive sign indicates tightness of the pectoralis major and pectoralis minor muscles.
- Have the patient lie in the supine position on a flat surface.
Directions
- 1.) Ask the patient to grasp their hands together behind their head. Instruct the patient to relax allowing their elbows to fall to their sides.
- 2.) Ask the patient to place their hands under their buttocks muscles and while keeping their arms straight touch the middle finger of one hand to the middle finger of the opposite hand.
Expected Results
- 1.) Patients Elbows should fall to the side contacting the table creating a straight line from one elbow to the opposite elbow.
- 2.) Patients posterior shoulder should stay in contact with the table when placed in this position. You may use your hand to feel for free space under the shoulder.
Positive Signs
- 1.) The patient's arms do not fall flat to the table and there is an obvious angle from one elbow to the opposite elbow.
- 2.) The posterior portion of the patient's shoulders do not contact the table leaving visible space between the shoulder and the table.
Implications
- A positive sign indicates tightness of the pectoralis major and pectoralis minor muscles.
Rehabilitation Direction
- The rehabilitation program for an individual with a positive sign on the pectoralis major/pectoralis minor test should include stretching of the pectoralis muscles, anterior deltoid muscle and also the biceps muscle group.
- The rehabilitation program for an individual with a positive sign on the pectoralis major/pectoralis minor test should include stretching of the pectoralis muscles, anterior deltoid muscle and also the biceps muscle group.