Kieertäjäkalvosin on anatominen termi, joka tarkoittaa ryhmää olkapäätä tukevia ja liikuttavia jänteitä. Kiertäjäkalvosin koostuu neljän olkapäätä liikuttavan lihaksen jänteistä. Nämä lihakset ovat lavanaluslihas (musculus subscapularis, olkavarren sisäkierto), ylempi lapalihas (m. supraspinatus, olkavarren loitonnus), alempi lapalihas (m. infraspinatus, olkavarren uloskierto) ja pieni liereälihas (m. teres minor, olkavarren uloskierto). (source Wikipedia)
Ok, it is time for the muscles of the month. I’m using the plural form this month as we are looking at the rotator cuff muscles: the supraspinatus, the infraspinatus, the subscapularis and the teres minor. This four muscles are basically responsible for preventing the larger muscles from dislocating the humerus during their actions. Because of the great range of motion between the humerus (muscle of the upper arm) and the scapula (shoulder blade), the joint capsule and its ligaments cannot provide necessary support. They are relatively small muscles for the tremendous amount of work they are required to do. They are the reason why many injuries occur at the shoulder joint because of imbalances in between these muscles and the fact that they are not performing to the best of their capacity. It is of the utmost importance to keep them healthy and strong whether it is stretching, physical therapy or strengthening to prevent such injuries.
So far, I have treated many patients such as BJJ practitioners, wrestlers and rugby players with very tight infraspinatus and subscapularis both using ART and trigger point therapy with great success, restoring full range of motion, enhancing flexibility and improving strength. At times, these tensions resulted in referring pain down the arms and the fingers. Definitely they are muscles you want to look after.
Not sure about how your shoulder joint feel or should feel? Come in so we can have a look at it and work together to get it moving again.
