rotator cuff pain

Shoulder pain is one of the most common injuries to people of all ages and it is also one of the most difficult and complicated areas of the body to work with. The shoulder is very unique in that there are so many dynamic movements this joint can complete but this dynamic mobility with extreme ranges of movement leaves the joint vulnerable to imbalances, instability, and injury. When there is a muscular imbalance around the shoulder it can lead to diminished scapula control that result in postural dysfunctions like winging of the scapula and shoulder injuries like shoulder impingement and rotator cuff tears. One of the main muscles responsible for these imbalances is the serratus anterior which is a prime mover of the scapula and along with the lower trapezius plays a critical role in providing normal scapulohumeral rhythm and motion. The biggest problem with the serratus anterior is that many of the best exercises to strengthen this muscle are also the most problematic and painful movement to execute making it very difficult to restore back to full strength. In this article, I will discuss exactly what the serratus anterior’s function is and how you can restore full strength if you have suffered a shoulder injury.

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