Tom Myers in his book Anatomy Trains refers to the “Rhombo-Serratus Muscle.” He writes about how the rhomboids and serratus anterior muscles attach at almost the same place and pull the scapula different directions. They would seem to be antagonists, but they work together to hold the scapula close to the ribs.
This technique combines the Scapula Twist and the Soft Tissue Release technique for the Rhomboids. You can work on the serratus anterior muscle by pressing on it with your palm while pushing the scapula medially towards the spine. You can then work on the rhomboids by placing your fingertips next to the spine then pulling laterally, pressing into the rhomboids until you get to the medial border of the scapula then pulling the scapula away from the spine to stretch the rhomboids.
Alternate these two techniques so that you are pushing the scapula toward the spine while working the serratus anterior, then pulling the scapula away from the spine while working the rhomboids. When you alternate these two techniques you can get into a nice rocking motion that is soothing to your client and facilitates release of muscle tension.
You can also do this with your clients breath. Have your client inhale as you are pressing into the serratus and pushing the scapula towards the spine, then exhale as you are pressing into the rhomboids and pulling the scapula forwards. Be sure to go slowly so that you don’t get your client to hyperventilate, and check in with your client to see how this feels for them.
Related Techniques
Scapula Stretch
Scapula Twist
Rhomboids – Soft Tissue Release