It’s no secret why front shoulders are such popular locations for tattooing. This delicate spot on the body provides ample room to accommodate various designs.
This area is also one of the least painful areas to ink. It is ideal for anyone afraid of needles or who doesn’t enjoy feeling ink against their skin.
The Unique Angle of the Shoulder Bone
The shoulder bone is one of the body’s most essential structures. It is located above the rib cage and tilts forward at an approximate 30-degree angle. Its position ensures optimal health in terms of posture and movement.
Seventeen muscles protect the scapula. They provide control and stability against the thoracic wall. The scapula also has a unique shape. It enables it to experience more range of motion than any other joint in human beings.
The Round Shape of the Shoulder Socket
The top of an arm bone (humerus) nestles into a shallow socket of the shoulder blade (glenoid). This ball-and-socket arrangement enables circular movement of the upper arm.
A vital piece of cartilage called the labrum surrounds the outer edge of the glenoid. It provides support and protection from friction in the shoulder joint. It also helps stabilize and prevent dislocation. It acts as a stabilizer against overstress and injury.
The shoulder also contains multiple supporting structures attached to its bones for stability.
The shoulder may become damaged from trauma, repetitive overuse, or wear and tear. Such damages may lead to problems in moving the arm freely and pain in the region. They may also cause impingement between bone surfaces. This results in the impingement of soft tissues between bones.
The Natural Movement of the Shoulder
The shoulder enables our arm to move in both directions, forwards and backward and laterally away from us. It is comprised of both bones and soft tissues. Its design allows it to withstand daily wear and tear.
A large capsule filled with synovial fluid safeguards the glenohumeral joint. It is protected by ligaments, tendons, and bursae that cushion bones during movement.
Muscles and tendons also control shoulder movement. They coordinate global movers like the biceps muscle with fine-tuning stabilizers like the rotator cuff muscles. They help regulate shoulder function.
According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, active shoulder movement should fall between 180o of flexion/abduction (with arm straight overhead) and 90o external rotation for optimal health. Most individuals need to catch up on these figures. They should strive towards increasing their range to prevent pain in their shoulders.
The Space to Play
An optimally designed playspace can captivate and delight your little geniuses like no trip to the mall, or museum could do. It can save time and get them thinking critically about what they have and don’t have. It was demonstrated when my wife and I tethered our big chair in our small living room for an impromptu pre-date nap session. We were rewarded with happy, contented children with a newfound respect for both parents and a wealth of new interests!
