Muscles
Pectoralis minor
Tilts the scapula anteriorly and depresses it; contributes to thoracic outlet symptoms.
Overview
Tilts the scapula anteriorly and depresses it; contributes to thoracic outlet symptoms. Trigger points here are common in everyday and athletic populations and frequently contribute to the referred pain patterns described below.
Trigger point locations
Anterior chest under pec major, attaching to the coracoid process.
Referred pain pattern
Anterior shoulder and chest, with possible arm and hand symptoms (thoracic outlet pattern).
Palpation & testing
Palpate the muscle belly along its accessible course. Reproduction of the patient's familiar pain on palpation supports involvement.
Common causes
Rounded shoulders, carrying heavy backpacks, chronic upper-chest breathing.
Self-care & clinical treatment
Doorway stretches, postural drills, breathing retraining. Clinically: needling carefully near neurovascular bundle.
Symptoms commonly linked
References
- • Travell & Simons — Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction