Manual Muscle Testing: Scapula Elevation

Muscles Involved:

Trapezius (upper)

Levator scapulae

Patient Positioning

Seated with arms relaxed in lap, patient to have head turned away from test-side For grades 0-2 gravity eliminated, patient in prone.

Joint start Position

Resting position of shoulder in either sitting or prone.

Therapist Position

Therapist to stand behind the patient

• Palpation over scapular elevators
• For grades 4 and 5: provide resistance downward at the top of the shoulder

To Test

• Patient actively elevates scapula
• For grades 4 and 5: therapist to give resistance downwards in the direction opposite to elevation.
• Note: as with all resisted testing of vertebroscapular muscles, the preferred resistance point is that which constitutes the longest lever as this more closely reflects the functional demands of the limb.