Table of Contents
Introduction
Deep tissue massage for shoulder pain management. This Rotator Cuff muscle needs to be treated to relieve a multitude of shoulder and arm issues. Learn why, in this video.
In the video thumbnail above, it points to this specific muscle. It is called the Subscapularis. It lies on the “inside/front” part of the shoulder blade. It is part of the Rotator Cuff group. The group and as individual muscles move and stabilize the shoulder.
At times this muscle can become super tight causing pain and discomfort. This can require deep tissue massage for shoulder pain and discomfort.
What does this muscle do and how does it become tight?
Along with working together with it’s fellow Rotator Cuff muscles to stabilize. It helps move the arm back towards the side of the body. This occurs when the arm is away from the body.
Another primary action this muscle performs is to turn the arm “inwards”, such as when you are throwing a ball.
This muscle can become very tight if you are performing a lot of overhead sports. For example, throwing sports, swimming and even performing exercises such as the lat pulldown or shoulder press. This of course can become worse, if you lack a stretching routine.
Athletics is one aspect but generally the most common reason, is sitting at your desk with a shoulder rounded posture. This posture will shorten this muscle and make it tight.
The tightness can cause biomechanical issues and trigger points that refer down the arm.
Deep Tissue Massage for Shoulder
Deep Tissue Massage for shoulder pain and discomfort. It has powerful clinical benefits. The one issue with this muscle is that it mimics other conditions and more common trigger point referral patterns.
Here is a list of reasons to receive deep tissue massage for shoulder:
- Decrease local pain. This is the most obvious one. If a muscle is tight locally, it can cause pain and discomfort
- Improve arm raising movement. This happens for two reasons. The first is that the muscle can become super tight hindering overhead motions. The second is that trigger points in this muscle can cause weakness. Treatment can help
- Decrease wrist pain and discomfort. Did you know that this muscle can mimic symptoms of Carpal Tunnel? The referral pattern for this muscle is often mistaken for Carpal Tunnel. Generally a patient will come in and have been told that they have CTS. This is even if they have been tested and have found to be negative. When this is apparent, I start questioning more about the shoulder
- Can improve shoulder positioning. A rounded and more forward posture of your shoulder puts it in a terrible biomechanical position. This is in relation to arm raising. There is a Rotator Cuff tendon that can be impacted because of this position. The Supraspinatus tendon can become irritated when raising the arm. This is because it is unable to clear a bony structure, the Acromion causing irritation. This can lead to shoulder “tendinitis”
There are 3 more points regarding the benefits and reasons. Watch the video to get more of a breakdown.
Deep tissue massage for shoulder pain in this circumstance is necessary. This is because this muscle tends to become very stubborn and tight over time. Often it has bee ignored as the largest reason, why a person is having symptoms. Lighter massages can help. However, the degree of tightness requires a more aggressive approach with the tissues.
Is it time to contact us to discuss your shoulder issues? If you are having local pain along with referral pain down the arm. This is especially to the wrist. It probably is.
More Resources:
Do you have more questions? Please visit our FAQ page. Have you noticed shoulder pain when doing the plank? Here is a video from our Pain Relief Fitness site, vprc.ca that can help.
