08/17/2026
💪 HAPPY MUSCLE MONDAY! 💪
Part of a massage therapist’s job isn’t just working on your muscles, it’s educating you about what we’re feeling in your body! So let’s talk about a muscle you use ALL the time:
the Biceps Brachii.
Did you know your biceps actually has two heads?
🟣 Long Head
The long head originates from the supraglenoid tubercle of the shoulder blade (scapula) and travels through the shoulder joint before joining the rest of the biceps. Because it crosses the shoulder joint, it can be affected by, and contribute to shoulder dysfunction.
🟣 Short Head
The short head originates from the coracoid process of the scapula, a small bony projection on the front of your shoulder blade.
Both heads come together and attach primarily to the radial tuberosity of the radius in your forearm, helping with elbow flexion and forearm supination (think turning your palm upward).
🤔 Here’s something you may not know…
The long head of the biceps is especially involved in shoulder injuries and dysfunction. Because its tendon passes through the shoulder joint, it can become irritated or compromised with certain shoulder injuries and repetitive overhead movements.
📱 And then there’s our modern-day habit:
THE CELL PHONE!
Hours spent looking down at your phone can contribute to a forward-head and rounded shoulder posture. That position can change how your shoulder blade and upper arm move, potentially placing additional stress on the muscles and tissues around the shoulder, including the biceps tendon.
That doesn't mean your phone is damaging your biceps every time you scroll! But hours of repetitive positioning without movement or postural variation can add up.
✨ So why does shoulder health matter?
Your shoulders are designed for a HUGE range of motion. Keeping them strong, mobile, and functional helps you:
✔️ Reach overhead
✔️ Lift and carry things
✔️ Perform everyday tasks
✔️ Maintain healthy movement patterns
✔️ Reduce unnecessary strain on surrounding muscles and joints
✔️ Keep doing the activities you love!
As massage therapists, we’re constantly assessing how muscles feel, how they move, and how they interact with the rest of your body. Sometimes that “tight spot” you feel isn’t an isolated problem, it can be part of a much bigger movement pattern.
So next time you're scrolling through your phone, check yourself! 📱👀
Drop your shoulders. Tuck your chin. Bring your phone up a little. Take a deep breath. And don't to MOVE!
If your shoulders have been feeling tight, restricted, or just not quite right, let's talk about it at your next session. 💜
