Limit Shoulder Pain
Video by Dr. John Wertish
We all can name a few friends or family members suffering from back or shoulder pain. Back pain can come from many factors. Movement is important for limiting shoulder pain. We can have imbalances in muscle strength, activation, and tonicity from lifestyle stressors. The latissimus dorsi is a muscle that pulls down the arm towards our ribs. This muscle can become weak from posture or improper motion. It connects to our shoulder and lower mid back and because of the complexity in movement with our shoulder joint it impacts synergistic muscles. The synergistic muscles are rhomboids, pectoralis major, teres major. These muscles surround the shoulder joint and an imbalance in these tissues can lead to pain. Try the exercises in this video to help your lat activation and limit shoulder pain.
Below are a few quotes from research on latissimus dorsi and back pain.
“Tight latissimus dorsi has been shown to be one cause of chronic shoulder pain and chronic back pain. Because the latissimus dorsi connects the spine to the humerus, tightness in this muscle can manifest as either sub-optimal glenohumeral joint function (which leads to chronic shoulder pain) or tendinitis in the tendinous fasciae connecting the latissimus dorsi to the thoracic and lumbar spine”
“Latissimus dorsi muscle arise as broad aponeurosis that originates from the spines of lower six thoracic vertebrae and from the posterior layer of thoracolumbar fascia attached to the spines and supraspinous ligaments of all lumbar vertebrae; sacral vertebrae and posterior crest of ilium, lower 3 or 4 ribs, and an attachment of the tip of the scapula.”
References
1) Bhatt CR, Prajapati B, Patil DS, Patel VD, Singh BG, Mehta CD. Variation in the insertion of the latissimus dorsi & its clinical importance. J Orthop. 2013 Mar 7;10(1):25-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jor.2013.01.002. PMID: 24403744; PMCID: PMC3768243.
Our Message
Our Chiropractors located in St. Louis Park, near the corner of MN-100 S & Lake Rd./Westside Dr., know how to get you out of pain through better movement AND making sure you are getting the proper nutrients. We also teach our patients how to manage their stress for optimal health. When you are looking for a Chiropractor near you, choose one who will not only help with your back pain, neck pain, or headaches but who will also guide you to living a healthier lifestyle so you can stay out of pain.