One of the most common conditions that we see as massage therapists is tension in the neck and shoulders caused by poor posture. The shoulders are rounded forward which may cause the head to be further forward than ideal. The muscles of the upper back and neck are forced to work hard to compensate and headaches or stiff neck may result. There are any number of reasons why this may occur but a common cause may be an ill fitting…
Most massage therapists would probably consider that the levator scapula is one of the more significant muscles of the neck and shoulder complex. Massaging and changing the tone of the levator scapula can resolve the pain and discomfort that many clients feel in the neck. According to Ian Harvey, aka Massage Sloth, around 80-90% of stiff neck or crick in the neck then levator scapula is the main culprit. Also forward head posture leads to the lev scap being in…
Testing strength and range of motion as part of assessment of the musculature of the shoulder girdle is important and useful as a first step in reducing shoulder pain and improving shoulder function. There many assessment techniques that are used by massage therapists and physiotherapists (although obviously massage therapists are not permitted to diagnose conditions). Typically the assessment of the shoulder will include the following steps: 1. Visual assessment – including active movement of the shoulder. 2. Passive movement of…
Subscapularis is part of the rotator cuff group and the actions include medial (internal) rotation of the humerus. When the arm is abducted then it stabilizes the humerus forward and down. The origin of the muscle is the subscapular fossa and it inserts at the lesser tubercle of the humerus. Image – https://www.mindmeister.com/images/download/8974083 Trigger Points – http://www.triggerpointnc.com/images/fig/Subscapularis.jpg Injuries to the subscapularis can include tears and tendinitis. In fact then subscapularis tendon is probably the structure most frequently injured in the…