Muscle Pain
There are more than 650 muscles in our body and each of them can be the cause of pain. Muscles work with electrical signals and even at rest, they have a certain tension called tone. A long-term increase in tone can cause pain and stiffness on the muscle, as well as pain in the joints and spine to which they are connected.
In addition, muscles are connected to each other with membranes called fascia and nerves. These connections are important in the formation of some automatic movement patterns, such as walking. These automatic patterns save the brain from thinking about each movement, but a problem in a muscle within the movement pattern spreads to other muscles.
A long-term increase in tone is a result of pathological signals in problematic body areas. Therefore, if the tension increases in the muscles can be read correctly, this can lead us to problematic body areas. Based on this fact, there is also a diagnostic system called Applied Kinesiology, which is based on testing the tension of the muscles, and it is successfully applied in our clinic.
Every muscle in the body can cause pain, but the muscles that cause the most pain are briefly summarized below.
Muscles That Cause Head and Neck Pain
Head and neck pain is most frequently caused by excess tension in the Trapezius, SCM, and Masseter (jaw) muscles. Trigger points in these key areas are a primary source of tension headaches, teeth clenching (bruxism), and referred pain that radiates to the eyes, temples, or back of the skull.
Trapezius Muscle
Trapezius Muscle This large muscle spans the upper back, shoulders, and neck. Trigger points in the trapezius are a primary source of tension headaches, neck stiffness, and pain that radiates up to the base of the skull and behind the eyes.
SCM Muscle (Sternocleidomastoid)
The SCM is a long, prominent muscle on the side of the neck that turns the head. Dysfunction in the SCM can cause a wide range of referred pain, including dizziness, balance issues, headaches over the eye, and pain in the jaw or ear.
Masseter Muscle
As the body’s main chewing muscle, the masseter often holds significant tension. Increased tone here is a direct cause of teeth clenching (bruxism) and TMJ disorders, leading to jaw pain, facial pain, and tension headaches.
Muscles That Cause Shoulder and Arm Pain
Levator Scapula
This muscle connects the upper neck (cervical spine) to the shoulder blade (scapula). The levator scapula is notorious for causing a “stiff neck” and a deep, aching pain at the top of the shoulder, often making it difficult to turn your head.
Supraspinatus
A key part of the rotator cuff, the supraspinatus is essential for lifting the arm. Inflammation or trigger points in this muscle are a leading cause of deep shoulder pain, shoulder impingement, and pain when reaching overhead.
Latissimus Dorsi
Often called the “lats,” this is the largest muscle in the upper body, connecting the arm to the spine. Tension in the latissimus dorsi can cause mid-back pain, shoulder restriction, and pain that refers down the arm to the hand.
Muscles That Cause Elbow and Wrist Pain
Brachioradialis
This prominent forearm muscle helps bend the elbow and rotate the forearm. Overuse from gripping, lifting, or repetitive actions can cause pain near the outer elbow (similar to tennis elbow) and into the forearm.
Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus
This muscle is a primary wrist extensor, helping to lift the hand backward. It is heavily involved in “tennis elbow” (lateral epicondylitis), causing pain at the outside of the elbow that can radiate to the back of the hand.
Supinator
The supinator is a deep muscle in the forearm that turns the palm upward. When tight, it can compress the radial nerve, leading to deep forearm pain, weakness in the wrist, and sensations resembling carpal tunnel syndrome.
Palmaris Longus
This superficial muscle runs down the center of the forearm and helps flex the wrist. Tension in the palmaris longus can contribute to generalized wrist pain and discomfort in the palm of the hand.
Muscles That Cause Upper Body Pain
Pectoralis Major
The large “pec” chest muscle often becomes tight from slouching posture and desk work. Trigger points here can cause referred pain to the front of the shoulder, chest pain (often mistaken for heart issues), and pain down the inside of the arm.
Serratus Anterior
Known as the “boxer’s muscle,” this muscle runs along the ribs under the armpit. Dysfunction can cause sharp, stabbing pain in the side of the ribs, difficulty breathing deeply, and contribute to shoulder blade instability.
Muscles That Cause Waist-Hip Pain
Quadratus Lumborum (QL)
The QL is a deep muscle in the lower back connecting the ribs to the pelvis. It is a very common source of deep, aching low back pain and is often implicated in sudden, sharp back pain when lifting or twisting.
Psoas Major
This deep “hip flexor” connects the spine to the leg and is vital for walking and posture. A tight psoas can pull the spine forward, causing low back pain, groin pain, and postural imbalances.
Piriformis
Located deep in the buttock, the piriformis muscle can become tight and compress the sciatic nerve. This condition, Piriformis Syndrome, causes radiating pain, numbness, and tingling down the back of the leg (sciatica).
Muscles That Cause Leg-Knee Pain
Tensor Fasciae Latae (TFL)
The TFL is a small muscle on the outside of the hip that attaches to the IT band. Tension in the TFL is a primary driver of IT Band Syndrome, causing lateral hip pain and sharp pain on the outside of the knee.
Rectus Femoris
As one of the four quadriceps muscles, the rectus femoris crosses both the hip and knee joints. Tightness can cause anterior (front) knee pain felt directly on or around the kneecap (patella), as well as pain at the front of the hip.
Adductor Longus
This is one of the main “groin” muscles, responsible for pulling the leg toward the body. Strains and trigger points in the adductor longus are a frequent cause of sharp groin pain and tenderness on the inner thigh.
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