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"Pec-O-Stretch", Problem Analysis Sketching

A torn Labrum is an exceedingly common sports injury for men (Allon has had labral repair surgery on his left and right side). A tight Pectoralis Minor (pec minor) is common for men who lift weights. This pulls the shoulder blade forward risking further injury, longer recovery, and worsening bad posture.


Methods to correct this and stretch/release the pec minor include self-massage, professional-massage, upper-back/core exercises, and specific stretches. Professional massage and treatment from a physical therapist is likely the best option but is not cheap. The stretches are commonly advised to be used but they are hard to execute safely and can easily make labrum injuries worse.


Sketch of Male Pectoral Anatomy

^Mathematical Analysis of the force on the Labrum/Shoulder Capsule


Allon sketched 5 product designs to aid pec minor stretching:

First 3 Iterations Below (click arrow to browse)

The Final 2 designs are better solutions because they don't merely aid stretch execution, but they enable a user to massage themselves with more control and without activating the opposite pec muscle—which make the muscle tighter. Instead they activate the upper-back muscles that actually aid with shoulder stabilization and counteract pec tightness, making it a two-fold solution. The aesthetics were not of immediate concern:







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