Shoulder Pain & Frozen Shoulder Syndrome
The Trigger Points that Cause Shoulder Pain
Shoulder Pain Causes
The shoulder joint is unique among the body's joints in that it relies heavily upon the muscle groups in the region to actually hold the joint together. This lack of major bone and ligament support allows for the greatest freedom of arm movement. But it also requires the muscles to function properly for the joint to work effectively and stay healthy. As such, perhaps no joint in the body is affected as much by trigger points as the shoulder (glenohumeral) joint.
Of all the muscle groups that act on the shoulder joint, the rotator cuff muscles are the most important. The rotator cuff muscle group is composed of the following muscles:
Trigger points in any of the muscles that attach to the shoulder blade can also play a significant role in shoulder dysfunction disorders. It is very important to address these trigger points, as they distort the proper movement of the shoulder blade during movements of the arm.
The Muscles and Trigger Points that Cause Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain is a complex disorder that can involve more than ten muscle groups. Clinical experience has shown that the following three muscle groups are involved most often:
The shoulder joint is unique among the body's joints in that it relies heavily upon the muscle groups in the region to actually hold the joint together. This lack of major bone and ligament support allows for the greatest freedom of arm movement. But it also requires the muscles to function properly for the joint to work effectively and stay healthy. As such, perhaps no joint in the body is affected as much by trigger points as the shoulder (glenohumeral) joint.
Of all the muscle groups that act on the shoulder joint, the rotator cuff muscles are the most important. The rotator cuff muscle group is composed of the following muscles:
- The Infraspinatus
- The Supraspinatus
- The Subscapularis
- The Teres Minor
Trigger points in any of the muscles that attach to the shoulder blade can also play a significant role in shoulder dysfunction disorders. It is very important to address these trigger points, as they distort the proper movement of the shoulder blade during movements of the arm.
The Muscles and Trigger Points that Cause Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain is a complex disorder that can involve more than ten muscle groups. Clinical experience has shown that the following three muscle groups are involved most often:
- The Infraspinatus
- The Subscapularis
- The Trapezius
The
Infraspinatus
muscle is found on the back of the shoulder blade
and is one of the Rotator Cuff muscles. It attaches
to the lower part of the shoulder blade and runs
laterally to attach to the top of the upper arm
bone (the humerus). Contraction of this muscle
rotates the arm in the shoulder joint and
stabilizes the shoulder joint during other
movements. Trigger points in this muscle produce
pain in the shoulder joint that radiates down the
front and side of the arm. People with active
Infraspinatus trigger points are unable to reach
behind their back, and have difficulty combing
their hair or brushing their teeth.
The
Subscapularis
muscle is one of the Rotator Cuff muscles. It lies
deep in the armpit region and attaches to the inner
surface of the shoulder blade. Like the other
Rotator Cuff muscles, the Subscapularis contracts
to rotate the arm, and to stabilize (hold together)
the shoulder joint during movement of the arm.
Trigger points in this muscle refer pain to the
back of the shoulder, and also in a strap-like
pattern around the wrist. These trigger points will
also cause "frozen shoulder" syndrome, and will
prevent a person from reaching their arm across to
the other armpit.
The
Trapezius
is the large, diamond shaped muscle group that
forms the base of the neck and upper back region.
It has attachment points at the base of the skull,
along the spine, on the shoulder blade, and on the
collar bone. When this muscle contracts it
typically moves the shoulder blade, but it also
plays a part in moving the neck and head. Trigger
points in this muscle refer pain to the back and
side of the neck, to the temple region, behind the
ear or back of the head, and to the shoulder joint.
Trigger points in this muscle develop for a number
of reasons, including poor posture, emotional
stress, whiplash injuries, falls, and sleeping
positions (or sleeping under a ceiling fan).
Trigger points in this muscle affect its ability to
move the shoulder blade, and therefore will often
contribute to common shoulder problems.
Important:
The following content is provided for information
purposes only. A proper diagnosis of any condition
requires a physical examination by a licensed
doctor.