Muscle infiltrations in the neck/shoulder

MUSCLE INFILTRATIONS IN THE NECK/SHOULDER

Diagnosis: MUSCLE INFILTRATIONS IN THE NECK/SHOULDER
(Myalgia)


Anatomy:
Numerous muscles emanate and fasten around the shoulder-neck.

  1. M. semispinalis capitis
  2. Mm. splenii capitis et cervicis
  3. M. levator scapulae
  4. M. rhomboideus minor
  5. M. supraspinatus
  6. M. rhomboideus major
  7. Protuberantia occipitalis externa

DEEP NAPE AND BACK MUSCLES
FROM THE REAR

Cause: All muscles around the shoulder can become tense and tender, and develop tender or sore muscle knots (myalgia). The cause is not known for certain, but it is known that incorrect working positions can trigger myalgia, and that myalgia can arise secondary to pain conditions other places in the neck-shoulder-yoke. The most frequent place for muscle infiltrations is the shoulder blade muscles (M supraspinatus and M infraspinatus, from which the pain can radiate down into the arm) and the large neck-back muscles (M Trapezius, M levator scapulae, M rhomboideus).

Symptoms: Tenderness in the muscles exaggerated when applying pressure on the muscle. There are often emanations to the arm (from muscle infiltrations around the shoulder blade) and to the head (tension head-ache with pressure behind the eyes) in cases of muscle infiltrations on the muscle fastenings in the back of the head.

Acute treatment: Click here.

Examination: Muscle infiltrations do not usually require closer examination, but in case of long-term discomfort, other provoking causes should not be ruled out.

Treatment: If possible the provoking cause must be removed or treated. The treatment of muscle infiltrations is furthermore stretching and increasing weight training (article-1) (article-2) (article-3), (article-4).

Complications: If progress is not smooth, it should be considered whether the diagnosis is correct or whether complications have arisen. Amongst others the following should be considered: