Muscle Library

Muscle Library, A to Z

Every muscle in the library, in alphabetical order. Each page shows where that muscle refers pain, the common causes, what patients report, and how it is examined and treated.

Search by pain location instead →

A

• Abdominal ObliquesTorso & AbdomenAcross the abdomen and into the groin in the documented maps, with heartburn-like symptoms recorded for upper fibers.
• Adductor GroupThigh & KneeThe groin and inner thigh, reaching to the inner knee in the documented maps.

B

• BrachioradialisArm & HandThe outer elbow, the top of the forearm, and the web of the thumb.

D

• Deep Foot MusclesLeg, Ankle & FootThe sole of the foot, the heel, and the ball of the foot.
• DeltoidShoulder & Upper BackLocally over the shoulder cap, front or back depending on the fibers involved.

E

• Erector SpinaeLow Back & HipLocally along the spine and downward toward the buttock.

F

• Forearm Extensor GroupArm & HandThe outer elbow and the back of the wrist and hand.
• Forearm Flexor GroupArm & HandThe inner elbow and into the palm-side wrist and fingers.

G

• GastrocnemiusLeg, Ankle & FootThe calf itself and the instep of the foot.
• Gluteus MediusLow Back & HipThe posterior iliac crest, the sacrum, and the outer buttock, extending into the upper posterior thigh.
• Gluteus MinimusLow Back & HipDown the lateral or posterior thigh into the calf.

H

• HamstringsThigh & KneeThe back of the thigh up to the lower buttock and down to the back of the knee.

I

• IliopsoasLow Back & HipVertically along the lumbar spine, and to the front of the hip and upper thigh.
• InfraspinatusShoulder & Upper BackDeep in the front of the shoulder, down the outside of the arm, into the upper back.

L

• Levator ScapulaeHead & NeckThe angle where the neck meets the shoulder, with a stiff line up the side of the neck.

M

• MasseterHead & NeckThe jaw, the ear, the lower teeth, and up to the eyebrow.

P

• Pectoralis MajorTorso & AbdomenThe chest, the front of the shoulder, down the inner arm.
• Peroneal GroupLeg, Ankle & FootThe outer ankle, behind and below the ankle bone.
• PiriformisLow Back & HipThe sacroiliac region, the buttock, and the posterior thigh.
• PopliteusThigh & KneeThe back of the knee.

Q

• Quadratus LumborumLow Back & HipThe sacroiliac region, lower buttock, and along the iliac crest; the pattern extends toward the groin in the documented maps.
• QuadricepsThigh & KneeThe front of the knee and deep in the kneecap region, with the rectus femoris pattern reaching down from the hip.

R

• Rectus AbdominisTorso & AbdomenAcross the mid back at belt height in the documented maps, and locally through the abdomen.
• RhomboidsShoulder & Upper BackBetween the shoulder blade and the spine.

S

• ScalenesShoulder & Upper BackThe chest, the upper back, and down the arm into the thumb side of the hand.
• Serratus AnteriorTorso & AbdomenThe side of the ribs, with a documented reach to the inner border of the shoulder blade.
• SoleusLeg, Ankle & FootThe heel and the back of the ankle, with the documented pattern reaching the sacroiliac region.
• SternocleidomastoidHead & NeckThe forehead, around and behind the eye, the ear, and the cheek.
• SuboccipitalsHead & NeckA band from the base of the skull wrapping over the head to the eye.
• SubscapularisShoulder & Upper BackThe back of the shoulder, with a documented band of referral to the wrist.
• SupraspinatusShoulder & Upper BackThe outer shoulder as a deep ache, down the outside of the arm toward the elbow.

T

• TemporalisHead & NeckThe temple, the eyebrow, the upper teeth.
• Tensor Fasciae Latae (TFL)Thigh & KneeThe outer hip and down the outer thigh toward the knee.
• Thumb MusclesArm & HandThe base of the thumb and the thumb side of the wrist.
• Tibialis AnteriorLeg, Ankle & FootThe front of the ankle and the big toe.
• TricepsArm & HandThe back of the arm, the outer elbow, and down to the ring and little fingers in the documented maps.

U

• Upper TrapeziusHead & NeckUp the side of the neck to the base of the skull, wrapping to the temple and behind the eye.

Explore the full Pain Finder

This index is educational. It links to pages describing muscle referral patterns commonly associated with pain; it does not diagnose your condition. Individual patterns vary. For evaluation of your specific pain, see a licensed clinician. Seek immediate medical care for emergencies. Eugene Baek, L.Ac. · New Jersey License 25MZ00080600