Both rhomboid major and rhomboid minor muscles are easy to access and it is not hard to treat them manually. Even when these muscles are covered by a thick layer of fat, it is not too hard to loosen and release them as rhomboid muscles are not very deeply situated.

The Rhomboid Minor

The rhomboid minor is a muscle that connects the scapula with the vertebrae that are in turn attached to the spinal column. It can be found behind the levator scapulae and the rhomboid major, located quite deep in relation to the trapezius but independent from the spinal muscles. Along with the rhomboid major it helps keep the scapula pressed tightly to the thoracic wall.

The rhomboid minor is inserted in the medial border of the scapula near the scapular spine. It starts from the inferior border of the nuchal ligament as well as from the supraspinous ligaments.

This muscle along with the closely related rhomboid major helps retract the scapula every time the trapezius muscle is contracted. The rhomboid minor and the rhomboid major work as an antagonist for the trapezius, with their main role being to stabilize the scapula by elevating the medial border.

The rhomboid minor’s nerves come from the dorsal scapular nerve, with the majority of nerve fibers coming from the C5 nerve root while only a few nerve fibers hail from the C4 and C6 nerve roots. The blood supply for this muscle comes mainly from the dorsal scapular artery.

The Rhomboid Major

The rhomboid major is described as a skeletal muscle with its main role being to connect the scapula with the spinal column’s vertebrae. It is closely related to the rhomboid minor and helps keep the scapula pressed tight to the thoracic wall. It also helps the scapula move inwardly towards the vertebral column.

This muscle comes from the spinous processes of the T2 through T5 thoracic vertebrae. It also starts from the supraspinous ligament. It connects to the medial border of the scapula starting with the scapular spine.

The muscle has a diamond shape and is located deep in relation to the trapezius, just inferior to the rhomboid minor. The rhomboid major, as the name would suggest, is the largest muscle of the rhomboids. In some cases the two rhomboids are connected and act as a single muscle.

The rhomboid major has nerves hailing from the ventral primary ramus along the C5 dorsal scapular nerve. Like the rhomboid minor, the major gets its blood supply from the dorsal scapular artery. The main function of the rhomboid major is to keep the scapula and in fact the entire upper part of the limb connected to the ribcage.

The rhomboid major, as well as the rhomboid minor also pull the scapula towards the vertebral column. The rhomboids allow the medial border of the scapula to be elevated, while also rotating the scapula downwardly.

When it comes to soreness or potential injury to the rhomboid major or minor, it can lead to limited movement in the upper extremity of the arm and shoulder and sometimes even extreme pain in the shoulder. Scapular instability is a direct consequence of rhomboid issues and it can in turn lead to scapular winging, excessive lateral rotation or even depression of the scapula due to the absent function of the rhomboid major.

Most people first notice problems for these two muscles as a pain in the side of the shoulder blade. While physical activity can be one of the major causes of this condition, it is office employees who most often report rhomboid major or minor muscle problems. This is because while working at a desk, the shoulders stay in a round position for prolonged periods of time. This position stretches the rhomboids and over time can cause them soreness or even more serious problems.

As far as trigger points are concerned, pain is most often felt either at the inner part of your shoulder blade or between the two. While they aren’t massive muscles the rhomboids have a huge importance for everyday tasks we take for granted such as walking or sitting up straight. As they adduct your arm and pull the shoulder blade in the direction of the spine, most movements that involve shoulders (walking, running, exercising, even writing) require these two muscles.

These two muscles can be overworked both actively and passively. Active stress comes from exercise, in particular sports like gymnastics where good form is a must, but it can also come from weightlifting or dancing. Active stress is generally found as a repercussion of forceful contractions, especially for the rhomboid major.

Passive stress comes from office work or any type of work where a round shoulder position is required for an extended period of time. This position elongates the muscles and can cause stress without proper management.

These muscles tend to provoke pain when at rest or when you lie on the stressed side of the body. Reaching your arm out can also provoke moderate pain.

At our Pain Relief Massage Clinic on the Gold Coast, it’s easy to get rid of upper back pain that originates from rhomboid muscles. All we need to do is loosen them, remove contraction knots and stretch them back to the normal length.

You can also perform a self-treatment by rolling on a tennis ball under your Rhomboid muscles while you lie on your back. But you will probably suffer a bad bruise the next day as a side effect due to too much pressure applied from your body weight.

If you would like to come to our Pain Relief Massage Clinic and want us to treat your Rhomboid muscles with Gold Coast remedial massage therapy, click and visit www.remedialmassage-goldcoast.com.au and feel better already.

Pain Relief Massage Clinic
192 Brisbane Road, Arundel Gold Coast QLD 4214 Australia
Phone: (07) 5537 7886