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Information on this page will be updated regularly and new articles added as
they become available. For more specific details send me an
Email,
Recognizing the Symptoms
Even though are some of the most used areas they are some of the most neglected.
These muscles some of the most used skeletal muscles. All movements of these
parts are towards the center. When we carry lift or hold something it is always
toward the center. Even the the fist closes inward. The inner muscles of the arm
and the pecs and associated muscles of the chest are the most used in these
movements. Generally even if they are traumatized it is not major and goes
unnoticed. But of course it does affect the health of the tissue your posture
since tight muscles shorten and pull the bones at each end closer together. A
good example is the pecs, or pectoralis major which leads from across the chest
and attaches the upper part of the humerus (upper arm). Since most of arms
activity is in front and, in the case of young women who tend to unconsciously
roll their shoulders forward, the pec muscles shorten over time and affects
posture negatively.
If you've been reading the other sections you will notice that the method of
finding affected muscles and soft tissue in all parts of the body are similar.
Initial indications are decreased flexibility, limited range of motion,
tightness and finally pain (from mild to intense and debilitating)
Possible Causes of tightness and pain
Naturally over use of these muscles will can cause trauma. But, you might
ask, if this is possibly the most used area in the body why is it the least
troubled and painful. firstly I will hypothesize that because these muscles are
used all the time, the individual become conditioned in using them in a balanced
and efficient way. So even though the muscles are always active, they are not
excessively traumatized. But they do experience some trauma that causes tension
to accumulate in very small increments over a long period and the tension is
somehow balanced and kept below the pain threshold. So there is tightness in
this area but you are not painfully aware of it. I e.g. you worked out and
exerted yourself the pain that stops you from completing your reps might just be
muscle tension pain and if palpate for it you just might find a trigger Point.
Locating tissue that is affecting the region
There are several points on the uppchest, anterior shoulder joint, forearms
and hand. One of the quickest ways to find points is to locate them as soon as
you feel the slightest identifiable pain spot. This might occur when you're
doing something as simple as lifting a shopping bag or when you're pumping iron
and are close to the end of a set of reps. Another way to find them is to
palpate your muscles where you feel any tightness and "look" for taut bands and
the and knead the area with your thumb or fingers until you find a pain spot.
There are key TPs on the upper chest just below the collar bone and laterally
close to the shoulder joint. Also there are several around the Deltoid and the
rotator cuff muscles. As you move down the arm you will find many all round the
forearm toward the elbow - these muscles as well as a few on the lower part of
the upper arm are the usual culprits in tennis elbow.
Treatment and Client participation in the healing and restoration process
These are probably the easiest areas to treat both for the therapist as well as
the individual since it is accessible at any time. Reach up to the upper lateral
corner of your chest with your fingers cupped and tap about the muscle like a
hammer. You will soon find a spot and if you hold you will feel pain which will
soon fade.
Use a similar technique on your forearm and you could use the thumb as well. If
you knead the upper forearm close to the elbow you will find many many spots
that are dying for attention and you could highly likely give it some relief by
giving it gentle focused pressure.
Repeat this process as many times as you like. You will will feel progressively
better after each treatment. For stretches to complement this treatment, go to
the stretches section.
In the near future I will add more detailed articles on the treatment of this
area and also dicuss how it can improve your muscle tone (at rest) and range of
motion.
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