Wall Angel
Definition
A clinical test and exercise where the client stands with their back, head, and arms against a wall, then slides their arms overhead while maintaining contact with the wall. Tests and trains thoracic extension, scapular upward rotation, and shoulder flexion simultaneously. Inability to maintain contact reveals specific restrictions.
Clinical Significance
The wall angel is both a screen and an intervention. As a screen, it reveals thoracic kyphosis (back cannot flatten against wall), anterior head carriage (head cannot touch wall), scapular protraction (shoulder blades leave wall), and shoulder flexion deficit (arms cannot reach overhead while maintaining wall contact). The pattern of failure tells the practitioner which links in the chain need attention first.
How AKMI Assesses This
AKMI uses the wall angel as a multi-joint screen. The assessment records which contact points are maintained and which are lost, the range at which contact is lost, and bilateral differences in arm path. This data is cross-referenced with isolated thoracic extension, shoulder rotation, and cervical position measurements.
Get your assessment test assessed
A biomechanical assessment measures wall angel and its relationship to the rest of your structural chain. 18 tests, objective data, personalized programming.