The TuneUp Program

Infraspinatus and teres minor lie at the back of the scapula and reach out onto the back of the humerus. Infraspinatus is the big one, covering most of the infraspinous fossa and teres minor sits just below it. Together they rotate the arm laterally. If you stand in the anatomical position and turn your arms so that your palms face the front then your contracting these two muscles. When you raise your arm to the side in abduction the arm will rotate laterally toward the end of the movement, these two muscles help make that happen.

Both of them, along with suprapinatus and subscapularis share a common tendon, the rotator cuff tendon, that attaches at the back of the head of the humerus. Together they help stabilise the shoulder joint, pulling the humerus into the scapula, especially when the arm is carrying something.

Because these four muscles pull on the one tendon from different directions any dysfunction will put a strain on the tendon, which often becomes thick and painful. If you develop a problem with your rotator cuff I'd suggest you see your health professional. The relaxation exercises will open your chest and take a lot of the load of the rotator cuff and the following massage sequence will be beneficial if you stay away from the shoulder joint and don't do anything that hurts.