Shoulder Support Techniques
18 Shoulder Support Technique (Spica Wrap)
Purpose
- Provide support to stabilize the shoulder/glenohumeral (GH) joint following an injury or to secure a protective pad or ice pack in place.
- Provide support to reduce stress on muscular structures and limit excessive abduction and external rotation movements, in order to reduce pain and promote healing during recovery and/or upon return to play.
Materials Required:
- One 4-inch or 6-inch tensor bandage/tensor (Double length roll recommended but depends on size of the individual)
- One roll of 1.5-inch athletic tape
- One roll of 3-inch Lightplast Pro elastic tape
Pre-Tape Testing
- Determine MOI (traumatic injury versus repetitive overuse strain versus pathological biomechanics/malalignments versus muscular imbalances versus poor footwear).
- Ask if they have been taped before and if there were any issues encountered.
- Rule-out allergies to sprays and/or taping products.
- Inspect the skin for any signs of soft tissue injury (i.e., cuts, abrasions, blisters).
- Check motor, sensation, and circulation (MSC) before execution of the support technique.
Components and Execution Procedures
- Individual Positioning: Standing with their arm in internal rotation, and their hand resting on their hip or lower back.
- Application: Secure the wrap around the bicep, beginning on the outside of the arm, and wrapping around the arm for one full rotation. Continue diagonally across the chest, under their opposite arm, across their back, and over the AC and shoulder joint, and finish around the arm again. This creates a figure-8 or spica pattern. Repeat until tensor is completely used. Maintain consistent and moderate tension (25% to 50%) to avoid compromising circulation.
- Closing Strips: Secure the tensor wrap by re-tracing the spica pattern using with 2-inch or 3-inch elastic tape. Secure the elastic tape ends using three or four strips of 1.5-inch athletic tape.
Post-Tape Testing
- Check motor control, sensation, and circulation (MSC) after application.
- Manually assess the shoulder to test the integrity of the support technique. In other words, has the support technique limited the movement(s) that are painful?
- Functionally assess the shoulder to test the integrity of support technique. This testing should be specific to the individual’s sport or activity and specific to their position in that same sport or activity.
