The Shoulder Girdle-part 2
- Date: 2009-10-07 - Word Count: 683
Share This!
The development of problems with shoulder movement involves a common pattern of abnormal movement involving shrugging the shoulder to some extent, moving the neck to the same side and a winging of the scapula away from the ribs. This abnormal movement pattern forces the shoulder to endure the development of pathologies such as rotator cuff tears and impingement. As the arm is used normally the body's preparation process engages the core stability system to stiffen the spine and ensures the scapula is prepared for the forces by pulling it in to the trunk.
For the rotator cuff muscles to function properly from their base the scapula must be held firmly as a stable point against the chest wall, otherwise they will suffer from a mechanical disadvantage and work abnormally. With normal scapular function the shoulder can work and avoid the unwanted extra movements of the neck and shoulder girdle. Accessory movements, as in all joints, play an important role in joint function. Accessory sliding and gliding movements occur naturally with the more normal movements of the joints .
A seal balancing a ball on the tip of its nose is how the interaction between the humeral ball and scapular socket has been described. The seal (the scapula) has to keep the ball (the humeral head) correctly and precisely centred over its nose ( the socket). The scapula has the job of successfully centring the large arm ball on the socket in all normal activities. If the ball is centred quickly and accurately this increases the precision and strength of arm movements. The shoulder has small muscles to control the arm and the arm is a long lever which generates a lot of force, with the added problem that the scapular muscles are working at poor angles.
The accuracy of placement of the head is vital and a millimetre or so can make a difference to the quality of movement involved, with the head able to slide or glide as it needs to. This kind of subtle, internal adjustment occurs in common movements such as raising the arm above the head, which is preceded by a small downward glide of the head on the socket. This allows the main shoulder movement muscles to exert the maximum force they need for strength. If accessory movements are lost this can force the muscles to work under strain, causing pain and stiffness in the joint.
All joints use accessory movements to accomplish normal motion for the joint in order to position themselves so their major moving muscles can work most efficiently. Without these very small inside movements the moving muscles strain to accomplish their goals, leading to pain and stiffness. The inability to position the scapula accurately and strongly is a common problem and may be the basis for many shoulder problems. The serratus anterior and lower trapezius, the main stabilising muscles of the scapula, may become under active and the upper trapezius, between the shoulder and the neck, overactive.
The rotator cuff muscles are functionally different in action from those muscles which give the scapula stability against the chest wall. The scapulothoracic muscles are designed to do low level holding of a posture for a time. The cuff muscles, however, typically act in a different way by acting quickly to perform a particular movement and then go into relaxation while they wait for the next required action. If weakness develops in the muscles of the rotator cuff then the scapular muscles can be recruited to complete the movement. Gradual domination of the scapular activity over the cuff activity can occur by inhibition.
If there is gradual weakness in the subtler, more finely controlled muscles of the shoulder and cuff, an abnormal movement rhythm can develop in the scapula as the stronger muscles take over. In normal activities people usually perform the same action repeatedly, mostly with the arm near the body and with muscle activity in short ranges. We typically perform actions involving drawing objects inwards towards the body rather than pushing things away, increasing the likelihood of the anterior muscles shortening and becoming stronger and the back muscles lengthening and losing strength.
For the rotator cuff muscles to function properly from their base the scapula must be held firmly as a stable point against the chest wall, otherwise they will suffer from a mechanical disadvantage and work abnormally. With normal scapular function the shoulder can work and avoid the unwanted extra movements of the neck and shoulder girdle. Accessory movements, as in all joints, play an important role in joint function. Accessory sliding and gliding movements occur naturally with the more normal movements of the joints .
A seal balancing a ball on the tip of its nose is how the interaction between the humeral ball and scapular socket has been described. The seal (the scapula) has to keep the ball (the humeral head) correctly and precisely centred over its nose ( the socket). The scapula has the job of successfully centring the large arm ball on the socket in all normal activities. If the ball is centred quickly and accurately this increases the precision and strength of arm movements. The shoulder has small muscles to control the arm and the arm is a long lever which generates a lot of force, with the added problem that the scapular muscles are working at poor angles.
The accuracy of placement of the head is vital and a millimetre or so can make a difference to the quality of movement involved, with the head able to slide or glide as it needs to. This kind of subtle, internal adjustment occurs in common movements such as raising the arm above the head, which is preceded by a small downward glide of the head on the socket. This allows the main shoulder movement muscles to exert the maximum force they need for strength. If accessory movements are lost this can force the muscles to work under strain, causing pain and stiffness in the joint.
All joints use accessory movements to accomplish normal motion for the joint in order to position themselves so their major moving muscles can work most efficiently. Without these very small inside movements the moving muscles strain to accomplish their goals, leading to pain and stiffness. The inability to position the scapula accurately and strongly is a common problem and may be the basis for many shoulder problems. The serratus anterior and lower trapezius, the main stabilising muscles of the scapula, may become under active and the upper trapezius, between the shoulder and the neck, overactive.
The rotator cuff muscles are functionally different in action from those muscles which give the scapula stability against the chest wall. The scapulothoracic muscles are designed to do low level holding of a posture for a time. The cuff muscles, however, typically act in a different way by acting quickly to perform a particular movement and then go into relaxation while they wait for the next required action. If weakness develops in the muscles of the rotator cuff then the scapular muscles can be recruited to complete the movement. Gradual domination of the scapular activity over the cuff activity can occur by inhibition.
If there is gradual weakness in the subtler, more finely controlled muscles of the shoulder and cuff, an abnormal movement rhythm can develop in the scapula as the stronger muscles take over. In normal activities people usually perform the same action repeatedly, mostly with the arm near the body and with muscle activity in short ranges. We typically perform actions involving drawing objects inwards towards the body rather than pushing things away, increasing the likelihood of the anterior muscles shortening and becoming stronger and the back muscles lengthening and losing strength.
Related Tags: back pain, pain management, sciatica, back pain relief, back injury, frozen shoulder, piriformis syndrome, injury management
Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- Prrevent Alzheimer's Disease With Natural Lifestyle
No other disease stirs more fear than Alzheimer's disease. This mind robbing affliction is presently - Stop Heartburn -heartburn Home Remedies
Heartburn consists in a burning sensation that starts in the lower part of the chest and can extend - Biomagnetic Therapy - The History Of Healing With Magnets
At first glance, it may seem that using magnets for healing is a recent phenomenon, but using magnet - Salvia Divinorum Ingestion And Possible Side Effects
Salvia divinorum is a psychoactive mint which is used in traditional spiritual practices. This drug - Upper Back Pain - Natural And Alternative Treatments For Backache Relief
Upper back pain is not normally the result of a spinal disorder, but it is more likely to be caused - Aromatherapy Massage Activates Your Emotional Memory
Aromatherapy is body and skin care treatments use essential oils to make you feel calm, relaxed, or - Muscle Joint Pain Treatment And Herbal Remedies That Work Effectively
Muscle and joint pain is not at all a rare medical condition. It can be the result of certain diseas - Lower Back Pain - 7 Useful Herbs And Herbal Remedies For Treating Lower Backache
Lower back pain is a common medical condition that affects almost everybody at some point or another - Hip Joint Pain Causes And Effective Natural Ways To Get Relief
The pain in hip joint is also very painful. There are many causes of hip joint pain. Some of the mos - Complementary Alternative Medicine For Cfs- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Have you or someone you are acquainted with been diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome? This condi
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Natural Remedy for Yeast Infection - Candida Albicans Symptom Help
For many people the cycle of yeast infection is complicated often by the use of antibiotics leads t - Why Use Beeswax Candles? Beeswax Candles vs Paraffin
When you compare beeswax candles vs paraffin, pure beeswax candles are:More economicalBetter for you - The Eyes Are the Soul of the Body - Iridology is Not a New Science
Iridology is by no means a new science. It is often said that "The eyes are the key to a person's s - Aromatherapy: Your Guide to Essential Oils for Healing (A-B) from Aches to Burns
ACHES & PAINS - Chamomile, Juniper, Lavender, Rosemary, Marjoram, Birch, Clary Sage, Clove, Geranium - The Healing Benefits of Vegetable Oils and How you Can Use Them in Home Remedies
The healthiest oils are made of olives, flax seeds, walnuts and cedar nuts. Peanut oil and corn oil - Boost your Immune System
The main function of the immune system is to protect the body against various infections. It is the - Whipworm Infestation A Possible Crohns Disease Treatment?
There are many alternative treatments for Crohn's disease; aloe vera isn't the only remedy out there - Natural Herbs - Power of Herbal Medicine
Natural herbs can be used to cure many health problems. Here are a few ways in which you too can imp - Miracle Healer, John of God of Brazil
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE from around the world diagnosed as terminal or incurable by modern medicine trav - What is Nutritional Healing
Nutritional Healing is an established scientific approach aimed at balancing the needs of the human