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Treating trigger points in Biceps Brachii

 

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Trigger Points in the biceps are often associated with shoulder, back, and elbow pain

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.

Trigger Points

Myofascial trigger points typically evolve in the center of the belly 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 myofascial trigger point formation to provide additional tension.

Trigger points form in this muscle for a wide range of reasons including repetitive motion injuries, throwing/sports induced (e.g. basketball, tennis), lifting heavy objects with the palm upward (ex. weight training), musical instrument playing (ex. violin, guitar). 

 

 

Biceps Trigger Points

Biceps Brachii - trigger points typically evolve in the center of the muscle belly

 

Latin, Biceps, "two-headed muscle"; Brachii, "of the arm".

Biceps Brachii operates over three joints. It has two tendinous heads at its origin and two tendinous insertions. Occasionally it has a third head, originating at the insertion of coracobrachialis.

The short head forms part of the lateral wall of the axilla, along with coracobrachialis and the humerus.

Basic Functional Movement

Picking up an object. Bringing food to mouth.

Trigger Point Indications

Anterior shoulder pain with decreased arm extension. Biceps tendonitis. Reduced extension of arms. Reduced Apley’s scratch test manoeuvre. Frozen shoulder syndrome.

 

Biceps Trigger Points

Biceps - Common Referred Pain Patterns

 

 

Referred Pain Patterns

Localized pain with intense ellipse superficially located over the long head tendon. Referred pain into anterior cubital fossa.

Consider Also ...

Subscapularis. Infraspinatus. Brachialis. Supinator. Upper trapezius. Coracobrachialis. Triceps brachii.

General Advice to Client

Exercise antagonists (Triceps Brachii). Reduce load on Biceps Brachii when carrying with a bent arm. Adjust sleeping position and work posture.

Self Help

Self help techniques can be quite effective. Try using your finger tips, a hard ball, or a pressure tool to massage the area (see image below).

 

Biceps Trigger Point Self Help

 

Stretching

Stretching between treatments can also help to dissipate trigger points. See image and instructions below.

 

  

 

 

Technique

Stand upright and clasp your hands together behind your back. Slowly lift your hands upward.

Do not lean forward while lifting your hands upward.

Muscles Being Stretched

Primary muscle: Anterior deltoid.
Secondary muscles. Biceps brachii. Brachialis. Coracobrachialis.

Injury Where Stretch Might Be Useful

Dislocation. Subluxation. Acromioclavicular separation. Sternoclavicular separation. Impingement syndrome. Rotator cuff tendonitis. Shoulder bursitis. Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis). Chest strain. Pectoral muscle insertion inflammation.

 

Links

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NAT 5-Step Shoulder Technique

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Trigger Point Therapy Tools and Accessories

Courses for Exercise Professionals

 

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About Niel Asher Education

Niel Asher Education is a leading provider of distance learning and continued education courses.

Established in the United Kingdom in 1999, we provide course and distance learning material for therapists and other healthcare professionals in over 40 countries.

Our courses are accredited by over 90 professional associations and national accreditation institutions including the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB). Full details of all international course accreditations can be found on our website.  

Printed course materials and other products offered on our websites are despatched worldwide from our 3 locations in the UK (London), USA (Pennsylvania) and Australia (Melbourne).

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NAMTPT AWARD 2017

We are honored to have received the 2017 "Excellence in Education" Award from the National Association of Myofascial Trigger Point Therapists.

Since 1999 Niel Asher Education has won numerous awards for education and in particular for education and services provided in the field of trigger point therapy.

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Award Winning Instructors

Niel Asher Healthcare course instructors have won a host of prestigious awards including 2 lifetime achievement honorees - Stuart Hinds, Lifetime Achievement Honoree, AAMT, 2015, and Dr. Jonathan Kuttner, MD, Lifetime Achievement Honoree, NAMTPT, 2014.

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In addition to national accreditation for continued education, each course that we offer includes "NAT Learning Credits". By taking and completing courses you can accumulate NAT credits to qualify for NAT certification.

There are currently 3 levels of NAT certification. Certifying NAT is a valuable way to show your clients that you take continued education seriously, and to promote your skills and qualifications.

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NAT courses are accredited for continuing education by over 30 professional associations in North America, United Kingdom, Australia, and European Union countries. These include The National Academy of Sports Medicine, Physical Therapy Board of California, AAFA, National Certification Board for Manual Therapists and Bodyworkers, Sports Therapy Institute, and Myotherapy Australia.

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Niel Asher Technique

Since 1999 the Niel Asher Technique for treating trigger points has been adopted by over 100,000 therapists worldwide, and has been applied to the treatment of a number of common musculoskeletal injuries.

The Niel Asher Technique for treating frozen shoulder was first introduced and published in 1997 and has been widely adopted by therapists and exercise professionals working within elite sports and athletics.

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This trigger point therapy blog is intended to be used for information purposes only and is not intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment or to substitute for a medical diagnosis and/or treatment rendered or prescribed by a physician or competent healthcare professional. This information is designed as educational material, but should not be taken as a recommendation for treatment of any particular person or patient. Always consult your physician if you think you need treatment or if you feel unwell. 

 

  

   

 

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