Muscles
Anterior deltoid
Flexes and internally rotates the shoulder.
Overview
Flexes and internally rotates the shoulder. Trigger points here are common in everyday and athletic populations and frequently contribute to the referred pain patterns described below.
Trigger point locations
Anterior shoulder over the clavicular fibers.
Referred pain pattern
Local anterior shoulder pain that worsens with reaching forward.
Palpation & testing
Palpate the muscle belly along its accessible course. Reproduction of the patient's familiar pain on palpation supports involvement.
Common causes
Bench pressing, overhead lifting, sustained mouse use.
Self-care & clinical treatment
Pec stretches, scapular control. Clinically: needling, load management.
Symptoms commonly linked
References
- • Travell & Simons — Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction