TRIGGER POINT THERAPY - BICEPS BRACHII

 

Posted by Simeon Niel Asher on Nov 21, 2016

Biceps Brachii - Common Trigger Point Sites

Trigger Points in the Biceps are associated with most painful shoulder conditions including frozen shoulder.

The biceps brachii decelerates extension and pronation at the elbow and extension at the shoulder joint. It acts as a junction providing myofascial continuity between the thumb and the ribcage (especially obvious when the upper limb is abducted). 

The muscle plays a vital role in shoulder stability under dynamic conditions, and can contract with the triceps brachii to stabilize the elbow. It has been described as the muscle that puts in the corkscrew and pulls out the cork! 

Problems with the biceps tendon can result from impingement or from inflammation and can also occur secondary to, or as a result of, compensation for other shoulder disorders. 

 Frozen Shoulder - Treating Biceps Trigger Points

Diagnosis

Diagnosis can often be difficult because of the complexity of the shoulder, and because it is common for several different problems to exist in the same shoulder at the same time. This can create a sometimes confusing clinical picture.

Biceps injuries can occur for a whole host of reasons but are definitely more common among those who engage in frequent pulling, lifting, reaching or throwing, and with repetitive overhead activity.

Trigger Points in the Biceps are accessible, and so can often benefit from self-help

Trigger Points and the Biceps

Trigger points are almost always associated with Biceps tendinitis. However, these biceps trigger points are also commonly linked with non-specific anterior shoulder pain (usually with decreased arm extension), and play a key role in frozen shoulder syndrome.

Biceps tendonitis is extremely common. It occurs in the long head of the biceps tendon as it runs on the anterior aspect of the humerus between the attachments of the supraspinatus(greater tuberosity) and subscapularis (lesser tuberosity).

Trigger points typically evolve in the center of the gaster and refer pain up toward the anterior deltoid and down toward the pronator teres, just distal to the elbow joint. The neuromuscular therapy hypothesis includes weak core stability with poor neuromuscular efficiency, culminating in compensatory trigger point formation to provide additional tension. 

The LHB tendon is unique in that it inserts inside the capsule of the joint to attach directly to the socket bone (lower glenoid fossa). This means that inflammation tends to start lower down the tendon and can track upwards directly into the ball and socket joint causing havoc; as is the case in frozen shoulder syndrome.

Biceps Brachii Trigger Points - Pain Pattern

Treatment

Trigger points in the biceps can be quite stubborn and require a certain amount of skill and experience to treat effectively, although a little bit of self-help can often make a difference. 

Many therapists are familiar with treatment protocols such as the Niel Asher Techniquewhich have been shown to be extremely effective for treating the trigger points that are involved in many common and complex shoulder conditions.

Ask your therapist about trigger points!