The subscapularis is among the four muscles the rotator cuff. It originates on the anterior surface of the scapula and inserts into the top of the humerus -- the upper arm bone. Together with the other rotator cuff muscles, the subscapularis maintains the integrity of the shoulder joint.

Muscle knots can form in your neck as a result of tension or inflammation in your neck or shoulder muscles. Your neck may feel tight and difficult to move. In most cases, knots aren't a cause for major concern, though they can cause you a considerable amount of discomfort.

Ankle pain is any condition that causes discomfort in one or both of your ankles. Ankle pain can be the result of a sprain or fracture, but you also can experience ankle pain as the result of infection, arthritis or gout.

When a joint in your spine moves while you stretch or during spinal manipulation, you may hear a cracking noise. This sound is harmless, although manipulating your joints to make them crack can sometimes cause joint irritation.

A clicking hip, also referred to as Snapping Hip Syndrome, is normally not a serious condition, but it can cause some discomfort or annoyance. A clicking or snapping hip is most often caused by the crossing of a muscle or tendon over a bony structure. If there is no pain, then there is really no need for treatment.

The rhomboid muscles of the upper back are responsible for pulling your shoulders backward, as you might do if you were standing at attention. Excessive contraction of these muscles can lead to tension in the upper back.

When you breathe in, your lungs expand and the intercostal muscles, which connect one rib to another, lengthen. If your intercostals are tight, movement of your rib cage might be limited, which can affect your ability to breathe comfortably and efficiently.

Numbness in the upper left part of the back can be more than just worrisome, it can also be frustrating and debilitating. Because it can signal a serious medical condition that requires a doctor’s attention, it is important to understand why back numbness can occur — and what you can do to treat it.

It is always important to include stretching as part of your total fitness plan. Regular stretching not only helps to prevent muscle stiffness and soreness after a workout, but it also offers many other impressive benefits.

Whether dancing to classical, modern, jazz or hip-hop music, dancers require a tremendous amount of strength and flexibility to bring the music to life through their bodies.

Your core consists of the muscles within your abdomen, hips and lower back. These muscles support your pelvic girdle and spine, and facilitate movements of your hips and torso. Performing stretching exercises that target the core muscles may increase flexibility and enhance muscular function.

Many common ailments, such as cramping, get confused with muscle strains, warns registered massage therapist Paul Ingraham. The difference with a pulled muscle, also known as a muscle strain, is that you feel it immediately after exercising and it affects just one muscle.