Skip to main content
Skip to main content
Physio Energy

Muscles

Supraspinatus

Source of deep shoulder pain that intensifies with abduction — often misread as pure rotator cuff tendinopathy.

Referred pain map

Supraspinatus
Supraspinatus — trigger point in the supraspinous fossa refers pain strongly to the lateral deltoid region on both the front and back of the shoulder, closely mimicking subacromial pain and classic abduction-pain syndromes.
Supraspinatus
Supraspinatus — anatomical view of the muscle in the supraspinous fossa with two trigger points (medial and lateral to the acromion); referred pain radiates over the mid-deltoid and continues down the lateral arm to the lateral epicondyle and forearm — a common source of 'shoulder pain with tennis-elbow flavor'.

Overview

Sits in the supraspinous fossa and runs under the acromion to insert on the greater tubercle. Initiates shoulder abduction and stabilizes the humeral head.

Trigger point locations

Belly of the muscle in the supraspinous fossa, just above the spine of the scapula.

Referred pain pattern

Deep lateral shoulder pain over the deltoid, sometimes extending down the lateral arm to the elbow.

Palpation & testing

Palpate above the spine of the scapula through the upper trapezius. Slack the trapezius by passively elevating the shoulder.

Common causes

Repetitive overhead work, carrying heavy loads with arms hanging, acute strain.

Self-care & clinical treatment

Posterior capsule mobility, scapular stabilization, load management. Clinically: needling, eccentric loading of the cuff.

Symptoms commonly linked

References

  • • Travell & Simons, Vol. 1
Share: