Deltoid

Pointer Plus The Pointer Plus is an easy to use trigger point (TP) locator which incorporates a push button stimulation feature to immediately treat Trigger point pain.

The Deltoid is a muscle of the shoulder.

Anatomical Attachments:

• Origin: Attaches to the lateral 1/3 of the clavicle and the superior surface of the acromion and the spine of the scapula.
• Insertion: Attaches to the deltoid tuberosity of the humerus.

Action: It abducts the arms.

Synergist: Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus, Teres major and minor, Subscapularis.

Antagonist: Pectoralis major and minor, Subclavius, Serratus anterior, Trapezius, Latissimus dorsi, Rhomboid major and minor, and Levator scapulae.

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Nerve Supply: Axillary Nerve (C5, C6).

Vascular supply: Posterior humeral circumflex.

• Primary: The Deltoid triggers refer in a relatively localized area with no distant projection to unrelated sites. The anterior division refers to the anterior and medial shoulder region. The medial division remains confined to the medial aspect of the shoulder. The posterior division refers posteriorly into the shoulder and occasionally, spills over into the arm. This muscle has a preponderance to develop triggers and should be evaluated anytime there is shoulder trauma and/or an individual has recently received an IM injection to the site. Frozen shoulder (Adhesive capsulitis) is predominantly due to dysfunction of the rotator cuff muscles, of which the Deltoid is not one, however it is easy to confuse the symptomatology of triggers that develop in the rotator cuff and those which develop in the deltoid. For some reason, the trigger points in the Rotator cuff muscle seem to be far more responsive to care than those stubborn, but obvious triggers that develop in the Deltoid.
• Satellite or associated triggers: Clavicular section of the Pectoralis major, Biceps brachii, Triceps brachii, Latissimus dorsi, Teres major, Infraspinatus, and Supraspinatus.

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Trigger Point Signs and Symptoms: Tenderness or grabbing shoulder pain during motion of the arm, difficulty in lifting the arm to an even level.

Trigger Point Activating and Perpetuating Factors: Trauma to the muscle to include intramuscular injection, excessive lifting or painting.

Differential Diagnosis: Rotator cuff injury, Bicipital tendinitis, Subdeltoid bursitis, Glenohumeral joint arthritis, Impingement syndrome, (Segmental, Subluxation, Somatic dysfunction) C5 or C6 radiculopathy, Charcot’s arthropathy, Fibromyalgia, Systemic lupus erythematosus, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Shoulder pointer, Fibromyalgia, Glenohumeral separation, Systemic infections or inflammation, Nutritional inadequacy, Metabolic imbalance, Toxicity, Side effects of medication.

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