A chronically shortened pectoralis minor produces the distinctive protracted shoulder that does not lay down like the other shoulder when the client is on their back. It is easy to release with a little posterior static pressure on the greater tubercle while lifting displaced ribs off the upper thoracic vertebrae. Even in chronic cases, this …
Changing your activities: For the short rounded shoulders, avoid the backpacks or a shoulder back on that hooked. Many people note that the problematic shoulder is just shaped right for holding a bag. working on a low desk with a laptop can lead to the hooked shoulders and short, tight pectoralis minor as well. Most …
Self Care – Pain in the Front of Shoulder When Lifting Arm Read More »
The pectoralis major is a broad, fan-shaped muscle made of flat overlapping strips that covers the anterior ribs. Pecs are often the victim of cervical problems. They are innervated by the brachial plexus and are intertwined with THORACIC OUTLET SYNDROME. They also perpetuate THORACIC OUTLET SYNDROME by holding pectoralis minor short, which entraps the brachial …
Once the trigger point is activated, there are a number of known activities that keep it aggravated. A backpack, ill-fitted bra straps, a tight coat or shoulder bag will press into this area and are known irritants and create additional microtrauma. Using a cane that is badly fit is cited as a problem. I find …
Self Care – Neck tension when wearing a heavy coat Read More »
Feeling some sensation into your torso and arm? Getting some sensation into the scalene referral areas while doing Stretches for Scalenes is a good sign. It doesn’t always happen but it indicates that the trigger points are activated by the stretch. It doesn’t happen as much when you use the ice, as ice inhibits that …
Self Care – Pain in the Upper Back, Index Finger and Thumb Read More »
Anatomy Review? The neuromuscular considerations in the Structural Overview are particularly interesting for the structural therapist. Serratus posterior superior is strongly governed by the costovertebral joints of the upper thoracic spine. These fixations are almost always associated with locally displaced vertebrae, especially the shearing of C7 and the upper thoracics in Forward Head posture. Serratus …
Once in a while, this problem starts by awkwardly reaching up and back, but usually, this is a chronic problem. The muscle tightens because the upper ribs have become chronically elevated. Also, there is the issue of chronic Forward Head Posture and, usually, a bit of a hook in the upper back. You can get …
Self Care – Can’t Reach Pain Under the Shoulder Blade Read More »
One of my clients describes this as the best exercise for shoulder and upper back tension. He thinks that it should be the first exercise that I give people. Regardless of their problem. It really does reduce shoulder and upper back tension in a magical way. I noticed big differences over the 1st month that …
Self Care – Breathing Exercises to Reduce Shoulder Tension Read More »
These doorway stretches are classic because they’re quick, effective and can be done almost anywhere. It is easy to stop at most doorways on your way back from the kitchen, office or bathroom. Even with minimal effort, a few stretches a day can offer notable relief and postural change. These stretches target more than pec …
This muscle is often overlooked and not treated until other muscles have been treated, which produce similar pain patterns. These patterns include scalenes, rhomboids, erectors, pectorals and multifidi. Serratus anterior can be hard to resolve when the shoulder girdle is chronically protracted by a weight problem. The chronically protracted shoulders act as a counter-balance to …
