Introduction

Many individuals do not realize they are in pain until they begin to experience stiffness or tenderness in certain areas of their body. Many people have two most common complaints: back and shoulder pain. The shoulder and back have a casual relationship that stabilizes the upper body and protects the thoracic spine. When injuries or ordinary factors affect not only the shoulders but also the back, it can lead to pain and stiffness in the muscles, causing trigger points to develop in the upper back and shoulder muscles. One of the muscles affected by trigger points is the rhomboid muscle located in the upper back behind the scapula (shoulder blades). Today’s article looks at the rhomboid muscle, how superficial backaches and round shoulders can affect it, and how to manage trigger points associated with it. We refer patients to certified providers specializing in back pain treatment to help individuals with trigger points in the upper back, along the rhomboid muscles. We also guide our patients by referring them to our associated medical providers when appropriate, based on their examination. We ensure that education is a beneficial solution to asking our providers insightful questions. Dr. Jimenez, DC, observes this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer

What Is The Rhomboid Muscle?

 

Does muscle stiffness in your shoulders seem to be causing you pain? Have you noticed that your shoulders seem more rounded than usual? What about the unexplainable upper backaches after being in a hunched position for a long period? Many individuals with these pain symptoms could be associated with the rhomboid muscles. The rhomboid muscles are a group of muscles important for upper-limb movement and shoulder girdle and scapular stability. The rhomboid muscles consist of two separate muscles: the rhomboid minor and the rhomboid major, deep within the trapezius muscle and behind the scapula (shoulder blades). The rhomboid muscles provide stability to the shoulder, and when active, the upper arms move back and forth while walking. 

How Superficial Backaches & Round Shoulders Affect The Rhomboid

While the rhomboid muscles provide stability to the shoulders, they can experience pain like any muscle in other parts of the body. Ordinary factors, such as poor sitting posture, can cause the upper back and shoulder muscles to contract and strain. Studies reveal that poor sitting posture can lead to forward head posture with rounded shoulders, causing pain in the rhomboid muscles. When the shoulder muscles, such as the rhomboid muscles, undergo this sort of change over time, it can increase muscle tone and ongoing stress in the neck and shoulders. To that point, it can lead to various symptoms, including pain, numbness, loss of function in the upper limbs, and nerve root symptoms. Other issues, like back pain, can also be symptoms that lead to referred pain in the rhomboid muscles and potentially trigger points along the shoulders and rhomboid muscles.

 

Other issues that can affect the rhomboid muscles are trigger points. Trigger points can be latent or active, as they are tiny knots formed in the body’s muscle fibers. According to Dr. Janet G. Travell, M.D., when a person hears snapping and crunching noises during shoulder blade movement, it may be due to trigger points in the rhomboid muscles. Studies reveal that since trigger points can be either active or latent and elicit local referred pain, they can lead to muscle imbalance, weak and impaired motor function, and exposure of the joints to suboptimal loading. This means that trigger points in the rhomboid muscles can cause referred pain to the shoulder and mimic other chronic symptoms. 

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Stretching The Rhomboid Muscle & Managing Trigger Points-Video

Do you hear any snapping or crunching noises when rotating your shoulders? What about muscle stiffness along your shoulders or upper back? Or do you feel muscle aches from being hunched over for a long time? These symptoms could involve trigger points in the rhomboid muscles. The rhomboid muscles help stabilize the shoulders and provide movement to the arms. When people overuse their shoulder muscles, it can cause trigger points in the surrounding muscles and pain-like symptoms in the shoulders and upper back. Thankfully, all is not lost, as various treatments are available to relieve shoulder and upper back pain associated with trigger points along the rhomboid muscles. The video above explains where the trigger points are located on the rhomboid muscles and how to stretch those muscles to relieve referred pain to the shoulders.

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Managing Trigger Points Associated With The Rhomboid Muscle

 

Since the rhomboid muscles can become stiff due to overuse and develop trigger points that can cause pain in the upper back and shoulders, this can lead to many pain-related symptoms and leave the individual feeling hopeless. Thankfully, various treatments can help manage trigger point pain associated with the rhomboid muscles. Studies reveal that thoracic spinal manipulation can relieve pain and pressure sensitivity of the rhomboid muscles. Chiropractors are excellent at finding trigger points throughout the musculoskeletal system by using spinal manipulation on the thoracic spine to loosen stiff muscles in the shoulders and upper back. Another way to manage trigger points associated with the rhomboid muscle is to stretch the shoulder muscles after a hot shower. This allows the muscles to relax and prevents future trigger points from forming along the rhomboid muscles. 

Conclusion

The rhomboid muscles are a muscle group that plays an important role in stabilizing the shoulder girdle and scapula (shoulder blades) while providing upper-limb movement. The rhomboid muscles consist of two separate muscles: rhomboid minor and rhomboid major, which are behind the shoulder blades and deep within the trapezius muscles. When ordinary factors like poor posture or shoulder injuries affect the rhomboid muscles, they can develop trigger points that cause stiffness. Various techniques can alleviate referred pain in the shoulders, leading to trigger points in the rhomboid muscles. When these treatments are utilized on the rhomboid muscles, they can help prevent future shoulder issues by improving muscle function and reducing the likelihood of trigger point formation.

References

Farrell, Connor, and John Kiel. “Anatomy, Back, Rhomboid Muscles.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 20 May 2022, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534856/.

Haleema, Bibi, and Huma Riaz. “Effects of Thoracic Spine Manipulation on Pressure Pain Sensitivity of Rhomboid Muscle Active Trigger Points: A Randomized Controlled Trial.” JPMA. The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, U.S. National Library of Medicine, July 2021, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34410234/.

Ribeiro, Daniel Cury, et al. “The Prevalence of Myofascial Trigger Points in Neck and Shoulder-Related Disorders: A Systematic Review of the Literature.” BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, BioMed Central, 25 July 2018, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6060458/.

Yoo, Won-Gyu. “Effects of Pulling Direction on Upper Trapezius and Rhomboid Muscle Activity.” Journal of Physical Therapy Science, The Society of Physical Therapy Science, June 2017, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5468195/.