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One muscle is more problematic than others when it comes to shoulder pain: the supraspinatus muscle. When you hear people talking about rotator cuff tears or surgery, they're usually referring to the supraspinatus muscle. Tap the top of your shoulder; the bone you feel is the acromion, which forms the "ceiling" of the shoulder joint. Beneath the acromion is the head of the arm bone, which makes up the "floor" of the shoulder joint. The space between the floor and the ceiling is called the subacromial space. This is where the supraspinatus lives and works. This muscle is important for guiding the head of the humerus when you raise your arm, even if it's just a little movement.

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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...
Continue Learning about Parts of the Muscular System
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.