Scapula

The scapula is a large triangular-shaped bone that lies in the upper back.

It is also known as the shoulder blade.

The scapula, compared to other body bonds, is connected to the main skeleton a series of ligaments that seat only on one side and extremity of it.

The ligaments are:

• transverse scapular ligament;
• coracoacromial ligament;
• coracoclavicular ligament;
• coracohumeral ligament;
• glenohumeral ligaments;
• acromioclavicular ligament.

That’s for is also called a “floating” bond.

So to be more specific, as the medial border or the inferior/lateral border of are not connected by any ligaments to any other bond structure, it makes the scapula subjective to the muscle’s force.

Indeed, the shoulder blades of an individual often don’t look the same.

What do I mean by that?

Well, starting from the fact one body side is more dominant than the other one.

Take for example an office worker.

Despite being seated or at a standing desk, the dominant hand most of the time will be the one using the mouse, right?

Where the non-dominant hand will be the one seating mostly on the keyboard.

Now, the hand that moves the mouse, is less luckily to leave its position and do other tasks.

As the mouse is in constant action, that hand is in constant movement yes, but doesn’t go that far.

Indeed, the non-dominant hand would move more freely, as it is not typing all the time.

Said so, the arm controlling that hand per consequence moving less.

Due to the pour ergonomic of many desks that arm, furthermore, is seated on a really narrow-angle, so the elbow is constantly flexed.

All this micro action, multiplied for days, weeks, months and years, brings the scapula at the mercy of the muscle force.

As per this example, the bicep force.

We did mention just now, that the elbow is constantly flexed, right?

So the Bicep, which is the main elbow flexor will be constantly under tension.

Now, looking at the bicep origin, we find that:

• Short head originates in the Apex of the Coracoid process of the scapula
• Long head originates in the Supraglenoid tubercle of the scapula

This is then how the scapula gets constantly pulled from this muscle.

Then obviously there are other muscles to play a contro-part.

In this case, we can think of the lower trap and the lat dorsi, which inserts at the inferior angle of the shoulder blade, so on the opposite side of where the bicep pulls from.

But if those muscles are not trained to compensate for the constant pulling force of the flexed arm, then the scapula will be tipped out.

For “tipped scapula”, we refer to a scapula where the inferior corner is prominent.

On the other hand, especially for the coracoid process, there is more muscle originating from that area, such as the Pectoralis Minor and the Coracoid Muscle.

Now, after this analysis of how the scapula can be moved around by the muscle tension, we can talk about other scapula facts.

So a Scapula should seat with the inferior angle at the high of T7 (vertebrae).

But that’s not always the case.

So we can have a “depressed” scapula, that can seat lower than T7 or an “elevated” scapula that can seat above T7.

Lev scapulae and lower trap are the muscles responsible for a depressed or elevated scapula.

It all depends on the tightness or laxity of the muscles.

Furthermore, we can have a “winged” scapula, therefore the medial border is visibly protracted.

For this case, is Serratus Anterior responsible for the winged shoulder blade.

As this muscle gets loose the shoulder blade get’s away from the rib cage.

On the other hand, when we look at a scapula we also look if it is “downwardly rotate” or “upwardly rotate”.

Preferably we would like to see the shoulder blade being upwardly rotated.

That means having the superior angle closer to the spine, and the inferior angle further away from it.

Why so, is because when we elevate the arm, either in flexion or in adduction (flexion on sidewise) the scapula is ready to follow the humerus.

I already did talk in this post, about the muscles involved in the scapula rotation.

In regards to massage and treatment from which a shoulder can benefit, we always have to look at the presentation.

A Remedial Massage or a Thai Massage are good to:

• improve mobility;
• reduce tensions;
• alleviate trigger points;
• rehabilitating the shoulder.

MLD, on the other hand, is more recommended for

• fracture;
• inflammation of the muscle surrounding the shoulder;
• pre-post operation;
• swelling;
• skin rash on the shoulder area.

In conclusion, if you feel like your shoulder needs some work done, your next massage is a click away.