Muscle Biomechanics: Rhomboid Major and Minor Muscles

The Rhomboid Major and Minor muscles are two muscles localised on the second layers of muscles of the shoulder girdle, underneath the Trapezius Muscle, whose main actions are scapula adduction, elevation, and rotation.

Both muscles can be considered stabilizers of the scapula, attaching it to the spine.

The Rhomboid Major and Minor muscles are not only stabilizers of the scapula during the movement of the arm and shoulder itself, but they move the scapula too.

The actions of the Rhomboid Major and Minor Muscle are adduction, elevation, and rotation of the scapula.

The rhomboid major muscle, along with the rhomboid minor and other muscles of the upper back and shoulder, works in coordination to facilitate proper shoulder movement and stability.

Anatomy of the Rhomboid Minor Muscle

The Rhomboid Minor muscle connects the superior medial margin of the scapula with the cervical and thorax tract of the spine.

Origin of the Rhomboid Minor Muscle: 

  1. Inferior part of the nuchal ligament.
  2. Spinous process of the cervical vertebrae C7.
  3. Spinous process of the thoracic vertebrae T1.

Attachment of the Rhomboid Minor Muscle: 

  1. Medial upper border of the scapula at the spine.

Innervation of the Rhomboid Minor Muscle:

The Rhomboid Minor muscle is innervated by the dorsal scapular nerve ( C4-C5 ).

Anatomy of the Rhomboid Major Muscle

The Rhomboid Major muscle connects the superior medial margin of the scapula with the cervical and thorax tract of the spine.

Origin of the Rhomboid Major Muscle: 

  1. Spinous processes of the thoracic vertebrae T2-T5.

Attachment of the Rhomboid Major Muscle: 

  1. Medial border of the scapula below the spine.

Innervation of the Rhomboid Major Muscle:

The Rhomboid Major muscle is innervated by the dorsal scapular nerve ( C4-C5 ).

Actions of the Rhomboid Minor Muscle

The rhomboid minor muscle plays a crucial role in both movement and stability of the scapula

The main actions of the Rhomboid Minor Muscle are:

  1. Scapula Adduction.
  2. Scapula Elevation+Rotation.

Actions of the Rhomboid Major Muscle

The rhomboid major muscle, as the Rhomboid Minor muscle, plays a crucial role in both movement and stability of the scapula

The main actions of the Rhomboid Major Muscle are:

  1. Scapula Adduction.
  2. Scapula Elevation and Rotation.

Stabalizing Action of Rhomboid Major and Minor Muscle

Both the Rhomboid Major and Minor muscles, together with other muscles such as the Trapezius muscle, Levator Scapulae muscle, and Serratus Posterior Superior muscle, are the main stabilizers muscle of the scapula.

These muscles are engaged in isometric contraction, even when there is no big or real scapula movement. 

For example, even when you do hummer curl exercise, where the main muscle involved in the movement is the Biceps Brachii Muscle, all the stabilizer muscles of the scapula, are engaged in isometric contraction to maintain the scapula in a steady position.

Rhomboid Major and Minor muscles are essential for activities like pulling movements, such as rowing or pulling a heavy object toward you, and contribute to overall posture and shoulder function.

They are involved in the pushing movement too, such as push-ups and press-ups, which are essential the scapula stabilization, elevation, and rotation.

Rhomboid Major and Minor Sports Injury

The most common sports injuries of the Rhomboid Major and Minor muscles are that ones caused by repetitive movement or overuse of the shoulder girdle and arms.

Poor posture could be another cause of Rhomboid muscle injury as it can place constant stress on the rhomboid muscles.

The most common rhomboid muscle injuries include:

  1. Muscle Strains: Rhomboid muscle strains occur when we have muscle fibers have been excessively stretched or torn. These strains can result from sudden overexertion, overuse, improper lifting, or repetitive movements involving the shoulder blades, such as in activities like rowing, lifting weights, or carrying heavy objects.
  2. Postural Issues: Poor posture, such as winged scapulae, rounded shoulders, and Kyphosis, can place constant stress on the rhomboid muscles, leading to muscle imbalances and discomfort. 
  3. Trigger Points: Trigger points are small, localized areas of muscle tightness and tenderness. They can develop in the rhomboid muscles due to muscle overuse, repetitive movement, continuous isometric contraction, poor posture, or other factors. Trigger points in the rhomboids can lead to discomfort and restricted shoulder movement.
  4. Nerve Compression: In some cases, nerve compression or impingement in the upper back or neck area can lead to referred pain or discomfort in the rhomboid region. Conditions like thoracic outlet syndrome or cervical radiculopathy may cause this type of pain.
  5. Shoulder Mobility Restriction: Rhomboid stiffness or pain can decrease shoulder mobility and flexibility because both of its function of stabilizer and the actions of the shoulder girdle.
Rhomboid Major and Minor, and Trapezius Muscle

Treatments of Rhomboid Major and Minor Injuries

Rhomboid stiffness is one of the most common causes of shoulder pain.

Treatments for Rhomboids muscle injury can vary depending on the cause and entity of the muscle injury.

Treatment for rhomboid muscle injuries when there is an active inflammation process, typically involves this physiotherapy protocol:

  1. Physiotherapy Machines such as High Power Laser Therapy, Ultrasound Therapy, and Shockwave Therapy.
  2. RICE Approach: Rest, Ice, compression, Elevation.

Sports therapy, such as sports massage or deep tissue massage to alleviate muscle tightness and discomfort, after the acute inflammation phase, is advisable.

Exercises to strengthen the rhomboids and improve posture are often prescribed if the cause of the sports injury is weak rhomboids.

Severe injuries, such as muscle tears, may require medical evaluation and, in rare cases, surgical intervention.

If there is a muscle tear is important to do a specific physiotherapy treatment for muscle tears, to avoid the formation of excessive scar tissue or adhesions.

It’s important to address any persistent or severe rhomboid muscle issues with the guidance of a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

X-Ray or Ultrasound Scan could help to understand if there are structural musculoskeletal issues.

Rhomboid muscle pain can be the cause of upper back pain and neck stiffness.

A deep tissue massage for the back, neck, and shoulder can alleviate back pain, reduce muscle stiffness, and improve neck mobility.

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