Manual Therapy to Address Pectoralis Minor Hypertonicity

Note that applying AP glides to the Sternochondral Joints in side lying from T3-5, which helps to diminish tone in the pectoralis minor, should precede manual stretching of this muscle.

Manual Stretching of the Pectoralis Minor:

The therapist’s left hand is placed over the 3-5th ribs to stabilize the origin of the pec minor.

• The patient’s right arm is taken into horizontal abduction with varying amounts of flexion depending on the direction of greatest restriction.
• The stretch is applied by tractioning the patient’s R arm longitudinally as the arm is taken into further horizontal abduction.
• The stretch is held for 30 seconds and repeated 2-3 times.