&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Muscles are important everywhere in the body BUT due to the structural design of the shoulder, it REALLY needs great muscle tone &amp; function. </span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">So this time we will explore the wondrous complexities of your client’s shoulder muscles….</span>

&nbsp;
<h2><b>Deltoids</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span></h2>
&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Previously known as the </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">deltoidious </span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">these are the strongest and biggest of the shoulder muscles. These mega muscles get their name from the greek word </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">delta</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> 4th letter meaning ‘</span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">difference/change</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">’ </span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Also known as the ‘common’ shoulder muscle but I cannot find out why!? Do you know why? Please reply and let me know if you do!</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">With a wide origin spanning all the way across spine of scap, acromion, clavicle to them travel down to the deltoid tuberosity of the humerus</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">The fibres are divided x 3….</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">The anterior part (or clavicular pars) perform horizontal flexion/adduction &amp; internal rotation. </span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">The lateral, intermediate or acromial pars are responsible for abduction</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Then the posterior or scapular pars allow you to achieve horizontal extension/abduction &amp; external rotation  </span>

&nbsp;

<img class="aligncenter wp-image-25696" src="https://biomechanicseducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/shutterstock_1697704519-scaled-1.jpg" alt="" width="533" height="533" />
<h2></h2>
<h2></h2>
<h2><b>Supraspinatus </b></h2>
&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">(Supraspinati plural) Relativity small (smallest cuff muscle), but still chunky, this beauty lies in the </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">‘superior’</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> scoop on the top of the </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">‘spine’</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> of the scapular. Travelling to the greater tubercle of humerus it’s interestingly the ‘rotator’ cuff muscle that doesn’t actually rotate!!</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">It helps the delts with abduction, predominantly the first 30 degrees, &amp; also stabilises the humeral head on the glenoid cavity…..hopefully!!</span>

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

<img class="aligncenter wp-image-25468" src="https://www.biomechanicseducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/shutterstock_293547812-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="449" height="599" />

&nbsp;
<h2></h2>
<h2><b>Teres Minor </b></h2>
&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">This wee muscle is squished between infraspinatus &amp; Teres Major but can often blend with infraspinatus. </span>

<i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Teres</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> means round &amp; smooth or cylindrical </span>

<i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Minor</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> because its the smaller of the 2 muscles called Teres</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Travelling from the outer edge of the back (lateral/posterior) of the scapular to that greater tubercle of the humerus it helps lateral rotation of your clients arm AND also stabilises the glenohumeral joint. </span>

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

<img class="aligncenter wp-image-25698" src="https://biomechanicseducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/shutterstock_293546465-scaled-1.jpg" alt="" width="495" height="660" />

&nbsp;
<h2></h2>
<h2><b>Infraspinatus </b></h2>
&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">It lies against the back of the scapular, </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">INF(RA)erior </span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">to the </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">spine</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> of the scapular &amp; inserts into the greater tubercle at the back of the humerus. </span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">The ‘Biscuit’ Muscle is the name I’ve given this INFRAmous (see what I did there!?) muscle.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Why? </span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Well when your client lies face down (prone) with their arms relaxed, often you can find that when you rub this muscle it feels like it has biscuit crumbs inside it. </span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">As a manual therapist I actually quite enjoy trying to dissolve those crumbs….not sure my client ‘enjoys’ it so much but they certainly feel better afterwards.</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">I believe it's commonly crunchy because of our lifestyles and its relative position. Imagine where it is in your body, then go onto that round shouldered posture &amp; then imagine what its doing while you are slouched over your phone or computer. The weight of your arms hanging off it, forward &amp; tapping annoyingly on your keyboard.</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">As a lateral rotator it can be tested by abducting the arms to 90degrees or parallel with the floor, then gradually internally rotating the arms to lengthen it. If the Acromion lifts during the movement this is a good indication this muscle’s function may need addressing.</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">How does this test show this? </span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">By gradually lengthening the muscle your client should be able to do this standing shoulder rotation without the scapular being pulled upwards. If the muscle is however tight, inhibited or limited in any way it shows through this range of motion test. </span>

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

<img class="aligncenter wp-image-24188" src="https://biomechanicseducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/shutterstock_147943874-scaled-1.jpg" alt="" width="646" height="517" />

&nbsp;

&nbsp;
<h2><b>Subscapularis </b></h2>
&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">So the Pectoralis major assists this biggest cuff muscle during internal rotation of the arm.</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">How? </span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Subscapularis sits on the front (anterior) surface of your clients scapular, against the back of their ribs &amp; attaches to the lesser tubercle at the back of the humerus</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Can also be tested, similar to the way we tested infraspinatus earlier, by abducting the arms to 90 degrees or parallel with the floor, but then externally rotating the arms. If the Acromion lifts during the movement this is a good indication this muscle may need addressing.</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">How does this test show this? </span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">By gradually lengthening the muscle your client should be able to do this standing shoulder rotation without the scapular being pulled upwards. If the muscle is however tight, inhibited or limited in any way it shows through this range of motion test. Same as before just turning the arms the other way.</span>

&nbsp;

&nbsp;
<h2><b>Trapezius </b></h2>
&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">A stunning diamond or </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">trapezium</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> shaped wonder muscle that ‘blankets’ over the back of the shoulders!</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">So stunning we have to break it down into portions to better appreciate its role in movement…..hopefully!</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">The upper fibres travel from the back of the skull or occiput, to C7, to the medial edge of the lateral portion of the AC joint! </span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Whoah!? </span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">What?</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Place your hand on the opposite shoulder, lift that shoulder….in there.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">That’s also one of their main actions, along with laterally flexing (on their own) &amp; extending (when working together) the neck &amp; rotating the head (when working alone). </span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">The medial fibres however attach to the spinous processes of thoracic spine then span out to the scapular for some REEEEEtraction….hopefully!!</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Then those lower fibres also attach to the spinous processes of thoracic spine &amp; they span out to the scapular a bit lower down to aid scapular depression.</span>

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

<img class="aligncenter wp-image-25700" src="https://biomechanicseducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/shutterstock_1335929453-scaled-1.jpg" alt="" width="586" height="782" />

&nbsp;
<h2><b>Latissimus Dorsi</b></h2>
&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Broadest muscle of the dorsals / flanks. </span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">A great big puller….ooooo yeah! </span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Attaching from the under (inferior) angle of the scapular to the spinous processes &amp; ribs, then the thoracolumbar fascia &amp; posterior Iliac crest.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">It travels from there into the intertubercular groove of the humerus.</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">AND apparently there is a debate about its relationship with the scapular!! Yeah that's a thing in the anatomy world that people can't always agree on…..A.P.P.A.R.E.N.T.L.Y!</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Any thoughts?????? </span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Message me pleeeeeeease….!</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">SOOOOOOOO it extends, adducts &amp; internally rotates the arm / shoulder!</span>

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

<img class="aligncenter wp-image-25701" src="https://biomechanicseducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/shutterstock_145358134-scaled-1.jpg" alt="" width="510" height="510" />

&nbsp;
<h2><b>Teres Major </b></h2>
&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">While the bigger of the 2 </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Teres,</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> hence </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Major,</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> it is also called</span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> ‘Lats little helper’. </span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">This is because it can perform exactly the same actions at the lats….</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Extension</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Adduction</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Internal rotation</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Because it attaches to the front of the humerus from the lateral border of the back of the scapular’s inferior angle.</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">If you lie on your side, bottom arm up by your ear, then place a ball where you imagine the Teres Major to be…..ooooooffff!!! Yeah!! Thats gonna be tender…..ask your manual therapist to give it a rub </span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">OR</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">If you’re a manual therapist try some techniques on this beaut for upper body freedom!</span>

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

<img class="aligncenter wp-image-25470" src="https://www.biomechanicseducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/shutterstock_1697704909-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="619" height="619" />

&nbsp;
<h2><b>Rhomboids Major &amp; Minor </b></h2>
&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">The smaller of the 2 (minor) is higher up traveling from the spinous process of C7-T1 to the upper medial border of the scapular. Whereas Major travels from T2-T5 to the medial border of the scapular further down and right down to the inferior angle. Sandwiched under trapezius and over erector spinae</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">However they are difficult to distinguish individually.</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">This anatomy allows them to retract (or adduct) the scapular. </span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Also elevate &amp; downwardly rotate them due to their line of pull </span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">These poor muscles are pretty much hanging on for dear life as we ‘hang’ over our computers. Our arms pull the scapular forwards, protracting (see pec minor) them and giving us rounded shoulders. Which by the way, isn't a problem in as much as the position BUT is a problem when held for long periods.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Imagine what the endurance of this position does to the rhomboids that are supposed to pull the scapular back into retraction. </span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Poor poor rhomboids!!!</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Offer them some help by individually focussing on some PURE scapular retraction work - I promise they will thank you for it!</span>

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

<img class="aligncenter wp-image-25471" src="https://www.biomechanicseducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/shutterstock_293547224-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="653" height="870" />

&nbsp;
<h2><b>Levator scapular</b></h2>
&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">A pretty muscle that threads from the Transverse processes of C1-4 to the medial upper border of scapular. This results in its ability to elevate &amp; rotate the scapula downwards &amp; rotate the head to the side. It can also pull the head towards the shoulder or laterally flex the neck. When right &amp; left work together they can extend the neck/head. </span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">So a busy muscle, right!? It is like a partner in crime with the upper trapezius muscle fibres!!</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Can you see why?</span>

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

<img class="aligncenter wp-image-25472" src="https://biomechanicseducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/shutterstock_1800822229-scaled-1.jpg" alt="" width="596" height="596" />

&nbsp;
<h2><b>Serratus anterior</b></h2>
&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">A muscle that held me captive for a long time because of its anatomy. My brain struggled to appreciate how it attached and how it produced its movement. Its formation is so intricate and fascinating that I couldn't simply grab a resistance band and put it onto a skeleton to appreciate its ability. </span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Still I tried that, visualised it when protracting or pressing, studied 2D images &amp; repeated this process. </span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Analysed bony images of the surfaces it connects to, visualised it again, palpated (touched) it while moving my shoulder, endeavoured to understand its line of pull….</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">….until eventually it clicked into place. </span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">A really cool rib definer I call it particularly from watching numerous bodybuilders doing a side abs pose. Front arm elevated up &amp; over their head, then depressing / protracting the scapula….are you doing it in front of the mirror yet????  Go on, have a go…...how did you do??</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">So as it connects from the outer surfaces of the first/upper 8 or 9 ribs to the front side &amp; medial scapular border. This is how it can protract the scapula, meaning they also abduct away from the spine. The line of pull allows for scapula depression (&amp; upward rotation of the scapulothoracic joint - where the scapular &amp; thoracic spine meet) </span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Also has a partner in crime - pec minor!!!</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">NOTE: One of the most common questions my learners are unable to answer is the difference in the attachments for the 2 pecs. So at this point I'd really like to make this absolutely clear, the 2 pecs perform different actions. Their influences are on different structures &amp; yes of course there is some awesome integration BUT READ CAREFULLY about how they attach &amp; therefore what they do…...this might change your programme design!</span>

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

<img class="aligncenter wp-image-25703" src="https://biomechanicseducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/shutterstock_293547815-scaled-1.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="800" />

&nbsp;
<h2><b>Pectoralis Minor </b></h2>
&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">THIS dude is really KINDA like the poor psoas muscle…..EH? WHAT????</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Hang on hang on let me explain…..</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Firstly let's discuss its position in the shoulder…..it attaches to the coracoid process (the most anterior/front point of the scapula) that pokes through the dip at the front of your upper shoulder. From there it pours downwards to just halfway across the 3-5 ribs.</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">This allows it to protract and depress the scapula OR LIKE PSOAS results in its ‘lax’ or shortened position as we sit round shouldered at our desks, over our phones…..make sense now?</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Both pec minor &amp; psoas are ‘held short’ during prolonged sitting - trust me THEY HATE IT!!!!</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Go back read Rhomboids….then come back read this…...then go back read psoas &amp; glute max…...then write to me and tell me what you think….?</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Anyhoo we ain't finished yet…..</span>

&nbsp;

<img class="aligncenter wp-image-25705" src="https://biomechanicseducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/shutterstock_151422785-scaled-1.jpg" alt="" width="524" height="698" />
<h2></h2>
<h2></h2>
<h2><b>Pectoralis Major</b></h2>
&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">DOES NOT ATTACHED TO THE SAME PLACES AS PEC MINOR!!</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">There I said it!</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">The Monday muscle I call this one….</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Why?</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Go to any gym (when you can) on a Monday….what do you see??? Chest day, right? </span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Men in particular want well developed Pec Majors!   </span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">So let's study their anatomy &amp; how they differ from their sibling...Pec minor…</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Attaching from the clavicle to the sternum &amp; then across to the greater tubercle of the humerus. Quite different, right?</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">This means it can adduct, horizontally flex &amp; internally rotate the shoulder. </span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Pec Major is also in partnership with Subscapularis when you look at their actions!</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">So now imagine a push up….Pec Major is the prime mover in horizontal flexion of the arm but Pec Minors role will depend upon your personal performance of this exercise. </span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">If your scapular DON'T move Pec Minor will be a fixtor </span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">If you protract during the press the it will be a prime mover</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">OOOOOOOOOOOeeeeeerrrrrr!</span>

&nbsp;
<h2><b>Shoulder Actions - SOOOOOO MANY!!!</b></h2>
&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">This is clearly going to be another reason why the shoulder is a commonly problematic joint!</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Humerus Abd/adduction, Internal / External Rotation, Horizontal Flexion / Extension or Horizontal abd/adduction &amp; Circumduction </span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Scapular Protraction / Retraction &amp; Elevation / Depression </span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">So there you have it: a small snapshot of shoulder anatomy &amp; biomechanics, yes just a snapshot. There are so many things we could discuss but I find anatomy easier to absorb a bit at a time. </span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">These blogs, &amp; the relevant videos, are written &amp; filmed to help gradually enhance &amp; add to what you already know but to be absolutely clear there is ALWAYS so much more to learn! </span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">That's what WE LOVE ABOUT ANATOMY!!</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Would you like </span><b>Knee Biomechanics Part 7 -  The Bones of the Knee </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">next???</span>

&nbsp;
<h1><span style="font-weight: 400;">OK COMING SOON &gt;&gt;- </span><b>Knee Biomechanics Part 7 -  The Bones of the Knee</b></h1>
&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.biomechanicseducation.com/blog/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Missed the previous Pelvic &amp; Spine Biomechanics Blogs? &gt;&gt;LOOK HERE&lt;&lt;</a>

&nbsp;
<h3><a href="https://www.biomechanicseducation.com/product/pelvic-biomechanics-practical-anatomy-part-1-the-bones-muscles-actions/#tab-description" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Would you like to invest further by grabbing the videos during lockdown....at lockdown price of just £7! (Normally £27)</a></h3>
<h1><a href="https://www.biomechanicseducation.com/product/pelvic-biomechanics-practical-anatomy-part-1-the-bones-muscles-actions/#tab-description" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&gt;&gt;LOOK HERE&lt;&lt;</a></h1>