Lat Stretch!!! By Taylor Norris, RMT

Lat Stretch!!!
By Taylor Norris, RMT at unionwellness.ca

Lats (Latissimus Dorsi) Stretch
Our lats extend all the way from the inside of our axilla (armpit) down the lower half of our back, spine and ribs, to attach all the way down to the end of our sacrum (mid part of the pelvis). They give us the ability to perform actions like climbing and swimming, since they pull the shoulders down and back while also helping to pull the trunk up toward fixed arms. They also help to raise the lower ribs during forced inspiration (inhalation).

This time of year, they may have a bit of extra work to do as we prepare for the holidays! Bringing boxes down out of storage, scraping the car off and carrying parcels a round while shopping all give lats a little more to do. To help them out, a good stretch is just the ticket.
To begin, get yourself seated comfortably and bring the arm/elbow of the side you would like to stretch first up and behind your neck and back. Then pull that elbow toward the opposite side with the opposite hand.

To deepen the stretch, you can also add a bit of sidebending toward the opposite side!

All pictures © twhealthhumor

Join us next week for Chest Exercises!!!