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Gravity comes into play, especially with our inactive lifestyles, which allow the scapulae (shoulder blades) to gradually be pulled down. If you think about it, we rarely have opportunities to raise our arms overhead. Many ergonomic controls in industrial settings are actually designed to eliminate overhead motions -- to the detriment of scapular function. As our arms work below shoulder height for longer and longer periods of time, our shoulder blades lose their fight with gravity and are pulled downward. This lengthens the trapezius, making it weaker as well.
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Fixing You: Shoulder & Elbow Pain: Self-treatment for rotator cuff strain, shoulder impingement, tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, and other diagnoses.
The shoulders are a floating system on the trunk, held in place and moved by muscular control. The foundation of shoulder movement is the shoulder blade which has precise resting and moving...
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Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.