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MuscleShoulderdeepDraft

SupraspinatusMusculus supraspinatus

Rotator cuff muscle above the spine of the scapula that starts arm abduction and holds the head of the humerus in its socket.

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LatinMusculus supraspinatus
Origin
  • Medial two-thirds of the supraspinous fossa of the scapula
Insertion
  • Superior facet of the greater tubercle of the humerus
  • Blends with the shoulder joint capsule
Action
  • Abducts the arm, mainly during the first 15° before the deltoid takes over
  • Pulls the head of the humerus in towards the glenoid cavity, stabilising the shoulder joint
  • Stops the head of the humerus slipping downwards
NerveSuprascapular nerve (C5–C6)
NameLatin supra, 'above', and spina, 'spine' — it lies above the spine of the scapula.

Palpation

  1. Client prone with the arm by the side; stand at the head of the table or beside the shoulder.
  2. Find the spine of the scapula and let your fingers settle into the hollow just above it (the supraspinous fossa).
  3. Press slowly through the upper trapezius, which covers this muscle, until you feel a firmer, deeper layer.
  4. Ask the client to lift the arm a few centimetres out to the side; feel the muscle tighten under your fingers.

Landmarks: Spine of scapula · Acromion

Supraspinatus is the “S” in SITS, the memory aid for the four rotator cuff muscles: supraspinatus, Infraspinatus, Teres minor and Subscapularis. Together they hug the head of the humerus and keep it centred in the shallow shoulder socket while larger muscles such as the Deltoid move the arm.

It lies deep to the upper Trapezius, so you work it through that muscle, just above the Spine of scapula. Its tendon then passes under the Acromion, a tight space where it is easily irritated. Clients who sleep on one side or work with their arms overhead often report tenderness here. Use gentle, sustained pressure rather than deep work over the tendon.

Techniques

  • Circular friction — Small circles made with the finger or thumb pads that move the skin over the deeper tissue without sliding, to work a specific spot.
  • Compression — Pressing straight down into a muscle with the palm, fist or forearm, holding briefly, then releasing and moving on.
  • Petrissage — Kneading strokes that compress, lift and squeeze the muscle away from the bone, working the tissue between the hands.

Works with

  • Deltoid — Thick, triangular muscle that caps the shoulder and is the main muscle for lifting the arm out to the side.
  • Infraspinatus — Thick, flat rotator cuff muscle below the spine of the scapula that laterally rotates the arm and steadies the shoulder joint.
  • Teres minor — Narrow rotator cuff muscle along the lateral border of the scapula that laterally rotates the arm and stops the humerus riding upwards.
  • Subscapularis — Large, triangular rotator cuff muscle on the front of the scapula that medially rotates the arm and guards the front of the shoulder joint.

Opposes

  • Latissimus dorsi — Broad, flat, fan-shaped muscle of the lower and middle back that extends, adducts and medially rotates the arm.
  • Teres major — Thick, rounded muscle from the inferior angle of the scapula to the front of the humerus that pulls the arm down, back and inwards.
  • Pectoralis major — Large, fan-shaped chest muscle that flexes, adducts and medially rotates the arm.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia: Supraspinatus muscle
  2. Wikipedia: Suprascapular nerve