Shasta Kneads

04/06/2026

03/06/2026

🍀 Lucky You—The Leprechaun Stopped at Shasta Kneads! 🍀

Word on the rainbow is our mischievous leprechaun snuck into Shasta Kneads and left behind a pot of gold… and he insisted it be shared with all of you. ✨

For the month of March, enjoy $20 OFF any 60- or 90-minute massage—his way of helping you relax, unwind, and feel magically refreshed.

He may be small, but he knows a thing or two about releasing tension and chasing away knots before they turn into mischief. 🌈

📞 Call or text (530) 227-4051 to claim your lucky gold and book your session.
Spots may disappear faster than a leprechaun at the end of a rainbow! 🍀

02/06/2026

Special running for all of February!! These do not have to be used this month I have gift certificates available! This is also not for couples massage, I can only do one massage at a time 😉😁 but it would be a great gift for that special someone in your life and then grab one at half off for yourself 😉

01/30/2026

🧍‍♀️ Wall Shoulder Stretch – Detailed Biomechanical & Anatomical Breakdown

This wall shoulder stretch is a highly specific mobility drill designed to lengthen the posterior shoulder capsule, rotator cuff, and scapular stabilizers while maintaining joint control. Unlike free-standing stretches, the wall provides external fixation, allowing precise force transmission through the shoulder complex with minimal compensation.

🦴 Joint Positioning & Force Transmission
With the hand placed on the wall and the arm elevated, the shoulder is positioned in a combination of abduction and external support. As the trunk gently rotates away, the humeral head experiences a controlled posterior glide relative to the glenoid. This is crucial because posterior shoulder tightness often restricts humeral head translation, predisposing the shoulder to impingement during elevation.

🔁 Posterior Shoulder Capsule Mechanics
The posterior capsule and rotator cuff tendons (especially infraspinatus and teres minor) are commonly shortened in individuals with repetitive pushing, pulling, or overhead activities. This stretch applies a low-load, long-duration force that promotes capsular extensibility, improving internal rotation and horizontal adduction range at the shoulder.

💪 Muscle-Specific Stretching Effect
The stretch effectively targets a wide muscular network:

Posterior deltoid – reduces excessive posterior pull on the humerus

Infraspinatus & teres minor – decreases rotator cuff stiffness and improves rotational balance

Teres major & latissimus dorsi – restores shoulder elevation mechanics by reducing downward and posterior humeral force

Rhomboids & middle trapezius – improves scapular mobility and reduces scapular rigidity

Together, these changes allow smoother scapulohumeral rhythm during arm elevation.

🧠 Scapulothoracic Control & Postural Impact
Tight posterior shoulder structures often lock the scapula into excessive retraction or downward rotation. This stretch encourages controlled scapular motion on the thoracic wall, reducing rounded shoulders, upper-back stiffness, and compensatory cervical muscle overactivity. Improved scapular mobility directly translates to better posture and reduced neck–shoulder tension.

⚙️ Functional & Kinetic Chain Relevance
In functional tasks such as reaching overhead, throwing, pushing, or weight training, limited posterior shoulder flexibility forces compensation at the neck, elbow, or lumbar spine. By restoring posterior shoulder length, this stretch redistributes load more evenly across the kinetic chain, lowering injury risk and improving movement efficiency.

01/30/2026

This special will be running through the month of February 💕💕
Call or dm to book your sessions (530)227-4051

01/24/2026

🦴 Scapular Rotation Mechanics – Why Shoulder Health Depends on Balance

This image illustrates the two fundamental movements of the scapula—upward rotation and downward rotation—and the muscles responsible for controlling them. Proper scapular motion is essential for smooth arm movement, shoulder stability, and injury prevention.

🔼 Upward Rotators of the Scapula

On the left side of the image, the upper trapezius, lower trapezius, and serratus anterior work together as a coordinated force couple to produce upward rotation of the scapula during arm elevation.

The upper trapezius initiates elevation and assists in rotating the scapula upward. The lower trapezius counterbalances this by pulling the scapula downward and inward, preventing excessive shrugging. The serratus anterior plays a critical role by anchoring the scapula against the rib cage and driving the rotation forward and upward.

Biomechanically, this coordinated action increases subacromial space, allowing the humeral head to move freely during overhead activities. When this system works efficiently, stress on the rotator cuff and shoulder joint is minimized.

🔽 Downward Rotators of the Scapula

On the right side, the rhomboids, levator scapulae, and pectoralis minor produce downward rotation of the scapula. These muscles are important for posture and controlled lowering of the arm.

The rhomboids retract and downwardly rotate the scapula, the levator scapulae elevates and rotates it downward, and the pectoralis minor pulls the scapula forward and downward. While these muscles are essential, dominance or tightness—especially in pectoralis minor and levator scapulae—can restrict upward rotation.

Excessive activity of downward rotators often leads to rounded shoulders, reduced overhead range of motion, neck discomfort, and shoulder impingement.

⚖️ Functional & Clinical Perspective

Healthy shoulder mechanics require a balance between upward and downward rotators. Modern lifestyles tend to strengthen downward rotators while inhibiting the serratus anterior and lower trapezius. This imbalance alters scapular rhythm and places unnecessary stress on the shoulder complex.

Corrective strategies should focus on:

Activating serratus anterior and lower trapezius

Reducing overactivity of pectoralis minor and levator scapulae

Restoring smooth scapulohumeral rhythm

✨ Key takeaway:
The shoulder doesn’t move well unless the scapula moves well.
Balanced scapular rotation = pain-free shoulders, stronger movement, and better posture.

📌 Train the scapula, protect the shoulder.

09/10/2025

https://youtu.be/tafP2OgttCI?si=Fu3LpAE9M1EblJOV

Throughout your day today, how often and for how long have you been touched by someone? How often have you touched someone else? Massage therapist Jane Ander...

09/03/2025

I will now be available from 10am-5pm once a week starting next Wednesday for walk ins!!! Several appt spots avail on other days but wednesdays will be set aside for walk ins only. Come see me and end the summer season fully relaxed and ready for holiday season 🌺