Trigger Point Release | Shoulder Pain | Rhomboids

This video is suitable only for certified practitioners or students of dry needling. Do not ever use needles in any way unless you are certified and licensed to do so.

Generally referred to as the rhomboids, these are actually two muscles (major and minor).

The rhomboid minor is smaller than the major and sits immediately above the rhomboid major. Both of the rhomboid muscles originate along the thoracic spine with their fibers running diagonally downward and outward to attach along the inside border of the scapula.

Active trigger points in the rhomboids tend to refer pain to the local area, so will usually present as pain described by the client as mid-upper-back pain, or pain at the back of the shoulder.

Whilst trigger points in the rhomboids are pretty easy to identify and treat, we need to be aware that there is usually more work to be done!

In many cases, trigger points in other muscles such the pecs, or serratus anterior may be causing those muscles to become less efficient, with a resulting effect on the rhomboids.

This is a particularly common scenario with badminton and tennis players.

A detailed examination of the clients posture is extremely important when treating the rhomboids, as well as an understanding of the clients lifestyle including their work, exercise, sleep patterns, and general health.

[physiotherapyawareness]

direction of the rhomboids on the body is in wrong orientation