A Move You Should Do MONDAY – 4-Point Pec Stretch

A Move You Should Do MONDAY – 4-Point Pec Stretch

Today’s move is the 4-point pec stretch and is an excellent way to stretch the large muscle in the front of your shoulder that is often a culprit in shoulder pain. Here’s how to do it:

Start on all fours with your hands wider than shoulder width apart and pointed out at a 45 degree angle
Shift your weight to one hand as you turn away from the arm you are stretching. Try to keep your elbow straight on the stretching hand
Return to the starting position and repeat to the other side

Why does this matter?

The pectoralis major is commonly tight due to many activities that require one shoulder to be placed in front for prolonged periods of time, such as working on a laptop, writing or preparing meals. Your dominant hand usually exhibits the tighter pec major. Most athletic activities are also push-dominant. Tennis, weight lifting, volleyball and golf are just a few sports that fall into this category.

A tight pec is often associated with rotator cuff tendonitis and impingement which may lead to pain with overhead reaching, lifting or reaching behind your back. If you experience a pinch in your shoulder with any of these motions, chances are you have a tight pec major.

So give the 4-point pec stretch a try and see if one shoulder is tighter than the other.

Because nobody has time to be in pain.

Until next time…