Muscles
Serratus anterior
Protracts and upwardly rotates the scapula; critical for overhead reach.
Overview
Protracts and upwardly rotates the scapula; critical for overhead reach. Trigger points here are common in everyday and athletic populations and frequently contribute to the referred pain patterns described below.
Trigger point locations
Lateral chest wall over the upper ribs, under the arm.
Referred pain pattern
Lateral chest and lower scapular border, sometimes mimicking 'side stitch' or breathing pain.
Palpation & testing
Palpate the muscle belly along its accessible course. Reproduction of the patient's familiar pain on palpation supports involvement.
Common causes
Sprint running, push-ups, sustained reaching, scapular winging.
Self-care & clinical treatment
Wall slides, push-up plus, scapular control. Clinically: needling along the rib slips.
Symptoms commonly linked
References
- • Travell & Simons — Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction