Infraspinatus Trigger Points

One of many possible causations is having a TriggerPoint in the infraspinatus from repetitive deceleration of the arm. In other words, having a really tight spot in the rotator cuff (where the blue X’s are pictured) may refer discomfort to the dark blue areas on the side and front of the shoulder. This is very common in Athletes whose rotator cuffs need to make up for poor performing Low/Mid Traps

Simple Anatomy: To find this specific location, find the bony ridge going across the back of your shoulder blade (Spine of the Scapula) , and drop down to the muscle just below that. This meaty area is your Infraspinatus. Feel free to grab your Lacrosse Ball or Soft Tissue Tool of choice and follow that to the back of the shoulder moving along the muscle belly.

The Infraspinatus is one of the 4 rotator cuff muscles and one of the primary decelerators of the throwing arm. It spans from the back side of the shoulder blade around to the side of the shoulder. This is one of the most tested and assessment muscles in the Throwing Arm in the Baseball world, but why is it so important?

As a strong External Rotator and Horizontal Abductor, it plays the primary roll of decelerating the Internal rotation and across body movement during the throw. It has a high enough demand in the throw as it is! Don’t make them work overtime to make up for Crappy Scaps as its second role is to provide shoulder stabilization during the throw. If you can’t first optimally control the Scap, you are creating an uphill battle for the Infraspinatus.

Throw Gas! Having excellent eccentric strength in the infraspinatus not only leads to a healthier arm, but also let’s you body’s nervous system increase your arm speed. Your brain is smart and will only let your arm move as fast as it knows it can decelerate it!!