Do you sometimes feel a strange pain in your shoulder or upper arm? You may think it's a problem with a large muscle. But sometimes the cause of this pain can be a small muscle that we don't even hear about or can't see. That's the muscle we're talking about today called the coracobrachialis. Although the name may sound a bit strange, it's important for you to know what it does and the problems it can cause.
Who is this Coracobrachialis?
Simply put, this is a small piece of muscle that runs from the front of your shoulder to the top of your arm. To be precise, it starts at a small bony protrusion on the front of your shoulder blade ( scapula ). In medical terms, this is called the coracoid process. From there, this muscle attaches to your upper arm bone (humerus), the bone in your upper arm, at the armpit.
That's how this name came about.
- Coraco- refers to the part of the shoulder bone called the 'coracoid process'.
- -Brachialis refers to your upper arm.
This is not a large, visible lump of muscle like your bicep. Most of the time, it's hidden inside. But certain activities can cause this lump of muscle to become tight and painful. That's when it becomes a hidden cause of shoulder pain or arm pain .
The special thing is that the nerve that runs through this muscle, called the 'musculocutaneous nerve', runs from the shoulder all the way down the arm. So, a problem with this muscle can cause pain to arise elsewhere in the arm.
What is being done with this little piece of meat?
Actually, this is not the main piece of meat in our hand. But it supports some of the movements of our hand. It's like giving a little help to a big job. Let's see what those jobs are.
| Function | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Flexion (bringing the arm forward) | It helps to extend your hand to shake hands with someone or to accept something someone gives you. |
| Adduction (bringing the arm closer to the body) | This piece of meat helps when we spread our arms out to the sides and bring them back in. |
| Internal rotation | We support each other by turning our arms to the sides, as if hugging ourselves. |
| Shoulder stability | When rotating the arm, keep the upper arm bone firmly inside the shoulder joint, which helps prevent the joint from popping. |
Imagine that this piece of meat has some kind of injury. You won't be able to do the things mentioned above. But you may feel a little weakness, pain, or instability in your shoulder when you do them. Especially during times like these:
- When you carry a heavy object like a bundle of books or a small baby close to your body.
- When pushing a stuck door, doing push-ups, or swimming.
- When you reach across your body and grab something on the other side. For example, when you put on your seat belt in a car.
- When playing games that involve throwing your arms overhead, like bowling in cricket.
How do I find out where this piece of meat is?
You can get a little idea of where to find this. Go in front of a mirror and squeeze your bicep. This is the thin piece of flesh that you can see in front of your shoulder, near your armpit.
Another way is to run two fingers along your collarbone and come up to your shoulder. There's a spike-like bone that you can feel in your hand called the coracoid process. That's where this muscle starts. If you press down there a little, you'll be able to feel this muscle. From there, it runs down your arm, between the biceps and triceps muscles.
What diseases affect this meat?
Since this meat is meant to be inside the body, it is less exposed to external hazards. And we don't use it excessively. But some people can have problems with it. Especially athletes and those who do the same type of work all the time.
| Condition | What is happening? |
|---|---|
| Repetitive Strain Injury | This condition can occur when the tendon is used continuously without giving it the necessary rest. When the tendon is injured and does not have time to heal, it can become stiff and possibly calcify. |
| Myofascial Pain Syndrome | Chronic inflammation of the fascia and surrounding muscle tissue can occur due to continued strain. This can lead to the formation of trigger points, which can cause persistent pain. |
| Nerve Entrapment | This is a very rare condition. Excessive exercise can cause this muscle to enlarge and compress the musculocutaneous nerve that runs through it. This can cause symptoms such as numbness, tingling, or pain along the nerve, down the arm. |
How do you know if this piece of meat is causing the pain?
It can be a little difficult to identify pain in this area of the body, because we don't know much about it. Another problem is, as I mentioned earlier, because the nerve that connects to this area of the body runs down the arm, the pain can be felt in the shoulder, the upper arm, or even the lower arm.
So, if you too have shoulder pain or arm pain that you can't find a cause for, try these things:
1. Identify the location: Close to your armpit, on the inside of your arm, press firmly between your bicep and tricep muscles with your fingers.
2. Check for pain: Does it hurt when you press it? Does the pain in your shoulder or arm get worse when you press it?
3. Do you feel a lump?: When you touch the area , can you feel a small, tight lump inside the meat? If the pain is very intense when you press on the lump, it could be a myofascial trigger point.
If you suspect that your pain is coming from this piece of meat, it's very easy to tell your doctor.
If a nerve is pinched, you may experience numbness on the inside of your arm or weakness when you bend your elbow. If you have these symptoms , don't waste time and see a doctor immediately.
What should I do for this kind of pain?
The first thing to understand is that the best treatment for any muscle soreness is rest . If your muscle is sore, you need to give it time to heal.
- Rest: Stay away from activities that cause pain for a while. Stop lifting weights and doing exercises that strain your arms.
- Massage: If the lump is tight and feels tight, gentle massage may provide relief. However, it is safest to have someone who knows how to do this.
- Medical advice: It is best to see a sports medicine physician or your family doctor. He or she will examine you and refer you to a physiotherapist if necessary.
- Special treatments: If you have myofascial pain, you can get great relief from special treatments like trigger point therapy.
If you have symptoms ( numbness , inflammation) that suggest you have a pinched nerve, don't just assume it's something you're dealing with , but definitely see your doctor for advice.
Take-Home Message
- The coracobrachialis is a small but important muscle located in your upper arm, near your armpit.
- If you have unexplained shoulder or arm pain, this little piece of meat could be the cause.
- This muscle can become tired from working in the same way, lifting weights, and some exercises.
- If you experience pain in a muscle, the first thing to do is rest.
- If the pain persists or there are other symptoms such as numbness, be sure to see a doctor rather than trying to treat yourself.
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