Effect of sacral mobilization (repositioning) on shoulder abduction range of motion restriction “Case Report”

Abstract

Objectives

This study evaluates the impact of sacral mobilization on restricted shoulder abduction Range of Motion (ROM), examining potential connections between sacral dysfunction and scapular mobility.

Methods

Two participants with sacral dysfunctions and limited shoulder abduction ROM were evaluated for active and passive ROM before and after sacral mobilization. One participant had lumbar pain, while the other had previously undergone surgery for a humeral greater tubercle fracture. During assessment, participants stood in front of a scaled wall and performed active shoulder abduction in the frontal plane, with their torso and pelvis stabilized using a barbell squat setup to prevent additional movements in the thoracic and lumbar regions. For passive ROM, a 10 kg weight attached to a pulley system was used to assist full abduction. Six ROM measurements were recorded across three sessions for each participant.

Results

Active ROM increased in both participants following sacral mobilization across the three sessions. Passive ROM showed significant improvement in the participant with lumbar pain, while the surgical participant demonstrated modest gains within each session and notable improvements over the three sessions. Abduction strength progressively increased across sessions for the participant with low back pain. In contrast, the surgical participant experienced an increase in strength within each session, but it returned to baseline by the next session.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that sacral dysfunction may contribute to restricted scapular movement. The observed improvements in ROM and strength indicate potential muscular and fascial connections between segments, as well as possible alterations in muscular activation following sacral mobilization.