When it comes to stretching your muscles, your arms, back and legs tend to get a lot of attention, but your chest muscles may often get overlooked. Your pectoralis muscles help provide strength and stability when picking up heavy objects, pushing...
The pectoralis major muscles run across your entire chest and are often referred to as your pecs. This area is often a focus of upper body workouts and weightlifting. However, it's important to include stretching as a part of your regular routine...
The pectoralis minor muscle lies near the outside of your chest, attaching to the third, fourth and fifth ribs on one end, and to the scapula bone, near your shoulder socket, on the other. The muscle is responsible for pulling the scapula forward...
There are two types of stretches you can do for your pectoralis, or chest, muscles, according to physical therapist Chris Frederick, co-author of "Stretch to Win." Static stretching is where you stretch a muscle group for a specific period of...
Many weightlifting programs target the pectoralis major muscles in the chest and the biceps muscles of the upper arms. While working these specific areas builds strength and creates a powerful physique, such strenuous workouts may also lead to...
Pectoralis major and minor, also known as the pecs, are located on the chest. Pectoralis major is the larger of the two muscles and extends from the side of the ribs to the breast bone. Pectoralis minor is a considerably smaller muscle located...
Pitchers and other athletes who utilize a significant amount of movement about the shoulder are interested in making efforts to ensure their pectoralis minor muscles possess adequate strength and flexibility. However, if you are too tight or too...
Stretching the pectoralis minor and major muscles helps decrease tightness in your upper chest. Stretching elongates the muscles and releases tension that can build up within the muscles fibers. The pectoralis minor and major can be stretched...
Correct poor upper body posture and rounded shoulders by stretching the chest muscles. The strong pectoralis muscles of the chest attach to the front of the shoulder. When contracted, these muscles bring the arm across the front of the body by...
Poor posture is often the origin of neck problems. Functional poor posture caused by strength imbalances can elicit muscle tension headaches, muscle strain, muscle fatigue, weakness and upper extremity symptoms. Stretching the tight muscles,...
The pectoral muscles, or pecs, include the pectoralis major and pectoralis minor muscles that lie within your chest. The pectoralis major helps extend, flex, horizontally adduct and inwardly rotate your shoulder, while the pectoralis minor moves...
The muscles of the pectoralis region are the chest muscles, which include the pectoralis major, minor and serratus anterior. A strain or pull to the pectoralis muscle can create pain and a shortening of the muscle tissue. Stretches to increase the...
The standing bicep stretch is a really simple stretch that can be completed anywhere. To begin the stretch, stand and clasp your hands behind your back. With your hands clasped, turn them so they are facing palms down. Next, lift your hand up...
Golfer's Elbow or medial epicondylitis is pain and inflammation on the inner side of the elbow, where the tendons of the forearm muscles attach to the bony bump on the inside of the elbow. The injury occurs from repetitive over use of the forearm...
According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, trigger points are problematic spots on your skeletal muscles that can cause tremendous pain or a decreased range of motion. Trigger points refer pain to other parts of your body. For...
Along with other therapies prescribed by your doctor, rehabilitating a pectoral-muscle injury requires your dedication to an exercise program that will aid in the healing process and recondition the affected muscle or muscles. A well-designed...
Pectoralis muscles, or pecs, stretch across both sides of your chest wall, and they're important for shoulder and back movement. Some women find that developing their pecs slightly increases bust size and lifts breasts that have just started to...
When the muscles that horizontally adduct the shoulder are tight, they can cause pain in the front of the shoulder and chest and also restrict mobility, but stretching exercises can restore range of movement. The horizontal adductor muscles...
Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, occurs when the joint capsule becomes thick and contractures form within the shoulder. Pain and stiffness are prime characteristics of adhesive capsulitis. Frozen shoulder is prevalent among people ages 40...
Tightness in the shoulders can become problematic for a variety of reasons, including pain, decreased range of motion, posture changes, or even frozen shoulder. To avoid the negative side effects of tight shoulder muscles, just as all muscles, it...
Tight muscles or an injury to the shoulder joint may decrease your shoulder range of motion. Exercises to improve the range of motion at your shoulders may be done passively or actively. Passive exercises do not require any work from you while an...
The pectoralis major is the primary muscle that makes up your chest muscles. It tends to get tight and hyperactive from a hunching posture that is caused by too much sitting or repetitive poor movement patterns and habits. This can lead to...
Your chest is composed of several muscles and muscle groups commonly known simply as your pecs or pectoral muscles. The pectoralis minor muscles are hidden beneath the large pectoralis major muscles that give your chest definition, but are very...
Whether you've suffered an injury or just have stiff shoulders due to inactivity or poor posture, you can regain flexibility in your shoulders by stretching daily. The deltoids are the main muscles of the shoulders, but the rotator cuff muscles...
The physio or stability ball has grown as a preferred method of training since its inception. Initially, it was utilized as a tool for rehabilitation purposes. More recently, it has been fully integrated into every aspect of strength or resistance...
People who are accustomed to the barbell bench press may find that they have trouble when switching to dumbbells. Although both movements are similar, the dumbbell press requires more stabilizing muscles to execute the movement. Choose dumbbell...
If your heart and mind seem like they’re in two different places or if your shoulders and neck are feeling tight, try the Seated Yoga Mudra Pose. Mudra means “seal,” as in closure or fastening. This opening pose stretches muscles...
Bursitis is an inflammation of small, lubricating structures called bursae. Bursae are typically located between tendon and bone to protect tissue from friction created during normal body motion. In the shoulder, the subacromial bursae is located...
The pectoralis minor muscle is seemingly aptly named because some of the most avid fitness buffs don't give it a second thought. The slim, triangular muscle lies beneath the more recognizable pectoralis major, which is the large chest muscle that...