The coracobrachialis is a small muscle that connects the shoulder to the upper arm. The muscle contributes to pain in the upper arm, shoulder, elbow, and lower arm descending into the hand. A key indicator of trigger points in the coracobrachialis is aching pain in the middle finger.
Where Is The Coracobrachialis Muscle?
The coracobrachialis lies toward the inside of the upper arm and attaches the shoulder blade (coracoid process) to the bone of the upper arm (humerus).
What Movements Does It Control?
- Raises arm to the front of the body (shoulder flexion)
- Pulls the arm in toward the body (adduction of the arm at the shoulder)
For detailed muscle anatomy: Coracobrachialis Anatomy
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What Pain and Symptoms Are Associated With The Coracobrachialis Muscle?
- Pain in the back of the upper arm
- Pain in the front of the upper arm around the shoulder joint
- Pain in the back of the lower arm
- Pain in the back of the hand extending down into the middle finger
- Difficulty bending the elbow
- Pain when putting arm and hand behind the head and back
- Pain when raising the arm overhead
- Occasionally numbness in the upper arm can extend into the forearm and back of the hand.
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Analgesic gels temporarily reduce muscle pain and can help with mobility. To treat the coracobrachialis muscle, rub the chosen gel into the front of the shoulder, the top, and inside of the upper arm. The gels will also relieve other pain symptoms such as arm, elbow, and hand.
Sombra Warm Therapy Gel is recommended for relaxing muscles and relieving pain. It warms without the burning heat of other gels. An excellent choice for pain caused by trigger points, muscle/joint over-use and stiffness, and arthritis. If you have reoccurring muscle cramps or pain, you should keep Somba on hand; it provides instant relief. (Not sold in stores)
Biofreeze Pain Relieving Gel is an excellent pain-relieving gel recommended for those who have sudden onset muscle pain or recent injuries. It is better to use than warm therapy gels and creams for muscle pain caused by inflammation as it cools the area much like ice. If your pain is from a recent injury, use Biofreeze. It is excellent for sprains, strained and sore muscles, and joints.
What Causes Trigger Points In the Coracobrachialis?
- Reaching your arm/hand around the back of your head
- Push-ups
- Rock or rope climbing
- Throwing a ball
- Golf
- Tennis
- Lifting heavy weights with outstretched arms and palms facing up
TWD Recommends
Many professional athletes wear the BandIT Forearm Band to prevent and relieve muscle pain caused by repetitive motions of the elbow and wrist. The BandIT uses selective pressure on the forearm muscles without cutting off circulation, limiting the range of motion or causing swelling around the band. Though it is not recommended as a long-term treatment or for long-term wear, the BandIT can help relieve pain for athletes to help get through a game or those who suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome that wants pain relief while typing to make a deadline. Read and follow the enclosed instructions for temporary relief from forearm, wrist, hand, and finger pain.
Coracobrachialis Trigger Point Treatment
If you do not have experience treating trigger points, it is recommended that you find a therapist trained in trigger point therapy to show you how to find and treat this muscle. The muscle can be hard to find, and you must be aware of the blood vessels that lie under the muscle. A trained therapist will show you how to find specific trigger points related to your pain and how to do self-treatment at home.
If you have experience with self-treating trigger points, The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook is an excellent resource to learn where and how to treat trigger points throughout the body. The coracobrachialis trigger points do not need additional tools for treatment. You will use your thumb to massage the muscle. However, if you find a trigger point in this muscle, you will likely find additional trigger points in other shoulder muscles.
For the best outcome, trigger points need several treatments of 1-2 minutes throughout the day.
TWD Recommends
The Nordic Lifting Elbow Support Sleeves provide excellent support and are comfortable to wear. The sleeves do not bind or limit mobility, and they stay in place. The sleeves are available in 4 sizes. If you deal with elbow pain or need some extra support for tennis, golf, or other activities, this sleeve is what you need.
Interesting facts about the brachialis muscle
- The coracobrachialis resists frontal shoulder dislocation.
Clinical diagnoses to which the brachialis muscle symptoms may contribute:
- Thoracic outlet syndrome
- C5 C6 C7 radiculopathy
- Adhesive capsulitis
- Frozen shoulder
- Shoulder pointer
- Cubital tunnel syndrome
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Bicipital tendinitis
- Subacromial bursitis
- Supraspinatus Tendinitis
- Acromioclavicular joint dysfunction
- Rotator cuff injury
- Dislocated shoulder
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Other muscles that should be considered and examined in conjunction with the coracobrachialis:
- Infraspinatus
- Teres Minor
- Subscapularis
- Pronator Muscles of the arm
- Pollicis Muscles of the arm
- Extensor Muscles of the arm
- Flexor Muscles of the arm
Satellite trigger points associated with the muscle:
If you find trigger points in the coracobrachialis you will want to check these muscles for additional trigger points.
- Deltoids
- Biceps brachii
- Supraspinatus
- Triceps brachii
TWD Recommends
Freeze Sleeve Cold Therapy Compression Sleeve is recommended by medical professionals for treatment of injury and over-use soreness. The sleeve provides total circumference cold therapy and compression that other cold treatments do not provide. The sleeve slides on and features material that can be worn on bare skin, allowing you to be mobile during treatment. It can be used for most areas of the arms and legs.
Muscles Which Contribute To These Conditions:
ACROMIOCLAVICULAR JOINT DYSFUNCTION | ADHESIVE CAPSULITIS | ARM PAIN | BICIPITAL TENDONITIS | CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME | CUBITAL TUNNEL SYNDROME | ELBOW PAIN | FINGER PAIN | FROZEN SHOULDER | GLENOHUMERAL JOINT SEPARATION | HAND PAIN | POLYMYALGIA RHEUMATICA | ROTATOR CUFF | SHOULDER PAIN | SHOULDER POINTER | SUBACROMIAL BURSITIS | SUPRASPINATUS TENDINITIS | TENOSYNOVITIS | THORACIC OUTLET SYNDROME
Muscles With Similar Pain Patterns
