The Brachialis
The Brachialis Muscle: Trigger Points and Referred Pain
Where Is the Brachialis Located?
About the Brachialis
The brachialis is a strong muscle at the front of the upper arm, underneath the biceps. Its main job is to bend the elbow. Because it lies deep to the biceps, people may overlook it as a possible source of pain around the elbow, forearm, or thumb.
Trigger points may develop when the brachialis is repeatedly overloaded by lifting, pulling, carrying, or other activities that require frequent elbow bending. The tender spot may be in the upper arm even when the discomfort is felt farther down the arm.
Brachialis Referred Pain and Related Symptoms
Trigger points in the brachialis may produce pain near the front of the elbow. Referred discomfort may travel down the forearm toward the base of the thumb.
- Tenderness in the lower half of the front or outer upper arm.
- Aching or discomfort near the front of the elbow.
- Pain that may travel down the forearm.
- Discomfort near the base of the thumb.
- Pain or fatigue during repeated elbow bending, lifting, or carrying.
These symptoms may resemble those associated with the biceps tendon, elbow joint, forearm muscles, or irritated nerves. A referred-pain pattern can provide a useful clue, but it cannot confirm the cause of pain.
The image above shows possible locations of brachialis trigger points and referred discomfort.
What May Contribute to Brachialis Trigger Points?
- Repeated lifting, pulling, or carrying with the elbow bent.
- Strength exercises such as curls, rows or pull-ups.
- Holding a heavy object for an extended period.
- Repetitive work or sports involving frequent elbow bending.
- A sudden increase in lifting, training, or manual activity.
- Insufficient recovery between demanding activities.
How to Help Prevent Brachialis Trigger Points from Returning
- Increase lifting and exercise intensity gradually.
- Take regular breaks from repetitive elbow-bending activities.
- Use both arms when carrying heavier objects when possible.
- Keep loads close to your body and avoid gripping harder than necessary.
- Warm up before demanding pulling or lifting exercises.
- Allow enough recovery time between demanding activities.
Pay attention to activities or positions that repeatedly bring back your symptoms. Reducing or modifying the aggravating movement may be as important as massaging the tender area.
Brachialis Self-Massage
Gentle self-massage may help reduce tension and tenderness in the brachialis muscle.
Brachialis Massage Instructions
Bend your elbow slightly to relax the arm. With the fingers or supported thumb of your opposite hand, gently explore the outer edge of the biceps in the lower half of the upper arm. The brachialis lies underneath the biceps, so it may feel deeper than the surrounding muscles.
When you locate a tender area, apply comfortable pressure for a few seconds, then massage slowly with small movements. The pressure should feel controlled and tolerable—do not force your fingers deeply into the arm.
Use caution: Avoid pressing on the inner side of the upper arm or directly into the elbow crease. Stop immediately if the massage causes sharp pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, or discomfort traveling down the arm.
Sources and References
- Clair Davies and Amber Davies. The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook: Your Self-Treatment Guide for Pain Relief. New Harbinger Publications, 2013.
- Anatomy, Shoulder and Upper Limb, Brachialis Muscle — NCBI Bookshelf.
- Anatomy, Shoulder and Upper Limb, Musculocutaneous Nerve — NCBI Bookshelf.
I hope you find this information helpful.
Thank you for reading,
Michel Bourgeois
Licensed Massage Therapist
This article is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, a diagnosis, or a treatment.