The Infraspinatus

About the Infraspinatus

The infraspinatus covers a large portion of the back of the scapula, just below the spine of the scapula. It primarily rotates the arm outward and helps stabilize the shoulder joint. It may also assist with moving the arm backward. Of the four rotator cuff muscles, the infraspinatus is one of the muscles most likely to develop trigger points.It also plays an important role in maintaining the head of the humerus in the glenoid cavity. You could have trigger points in the infraspinatus muscle without even knowing it. One of the characteristics of this muscle is that it radiates pain into the shoulder joint. The infraspinatus with trigger points will not hurt as long as no one touches it.

As you will see in the following diagram, diffuse infraspinatus pain can be located in the shoulder joint. It is therefore perfectly normal to want to care for and massage the front of the shoulder, but don't linger over it for too long. You will feel relief, but it won't last long, because the problem is in the infraspinatus. If you have trigger points in this muscle, you should feel muscle pain after massaging it for a while. You should massage it for 30 seconds before concluding whether you have trigger points or not because this muscle is quite tough. You should also feel a diffuse pain in the joint in front of the shoulder that exactly mimics the pain you are feeling.

Infraspinatus Referred Pain and Related Symptoms

Trigger points in the infraspinatus may cause referred pain and other symptoms, including:

• Deep pain in the shoulder joint.
• Pain in the front or back of the shoulder.
• Pain along the inner border of the shoulder blade.
• Reduced shoulder mobility.
• Discomfort when reaching behind the back.
• Wrist weakness (hand grip).

Symptoms associated with Infraspinatus trigger points may be mistaken for those of the following conditions:

• Biceps tendonitis.
• Frozen shoulder.
• Arthritis in the shoulder joint.
• Bursitis.
• Musculoskeletal disorders of the shoulder.

What May Contribute to Infraspinatus Trigger Points?

• Excessive use of ski poles, such as doing too much ski touring.
• Sleeping on your side with trigger points.
• Getting dressed with your painful arm last in the sleeve.
• Working for long periods with your arms raised.
• Reaching behind the car seat to grab an object.

How to Help Prevent Infraspinatus Trigger Points from Returning

• Avoid excessive use of ski poles, such as doing too much ski touring.
• Avoid lifting objects above your head.
• Lifting and/or pushing heavy objects
• Sleep with a pillow under your affected arm for support.
• Avoid sleeping on the side where you have Trigger points
• When performing prolonged or repetitive work, try to keep your shoulder blades straight and in place. You should stop regularly to retract your shoulder blades together.