There are easy coracobrachialis trigger point release exercises that you can perform as a workout routine.
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Yesterday, I was in Irvine, California. (Sorry, in yesterday’s email, I said I was in San Diego).
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I did a previous video in which I discussed two stretches that help target the coracobrachialis. In that video, I forgot to mention the coracobrachialis’s functions [1] ; it helps move the shoulder into flexion, move the shoulder into adduction, and stabilize the shoulder. In this video, I wanted to go through a quick exercise that you can do to release the coracobrachialis (Ilayperuma, et. al. 2016).
It isn’t a primary mover. It is more of a secondary muscle that assists the primary movers. If that coracobrachialis has excess tension or shortens up, it affects the position of the shoulder and can affect the posture and stability of the shoulder [2] (Placzek & Boyce, 2017). It is often an overlooked shoulder muscle when it comes to shoulder posture and shoulder rehab.
Coracobrachialis Trigger Point
CLICK HERE to watch the YouTube video.
I wanted to go through an exercise you can do to release the coracobrachialis. I had Donnalee demonstrate.
Causes & Risk Factors for Coracobrachialis Tightness
Before going over the exercise for the coracobrachialis tightness.
If your coracobrachialis is tight, achy, or restricting your shoulder movement, you’re probably dealing with one (or more) of these common culprits.
Also, If you think your coracobrachialis tightness is just something you can sleep off, think again.
The coracobrachialis muscle’s main function is to produce flexion and adduction of the arm at the shoulder joint; without it or if it is too tight, you can’t lift your arms.
That’s according to Dr. Roberto Grujičić, MD. a clinical researcher from the Institute of Mental Health, Belgrade, Serbia.
1. Overuse in Weightlifting, Throwing Sports, and Swimming
Listen, if you’re constantly hammering pressing movements—bench press, shoulder press, dips, or push-ups—your coracobrachialis is putting in overtime.
Same deal if you’re into throwing sports like baseball, football, or even swimming.
If you’re into swimming, the coracobrachialis is heavily engaged, especially during strokes like freestyle and breaststroke.
This little muscle has a big job assisting the primary movers, and then when it gets overworked, it tightens up and fights back.
2. Poor Posture (Rounded Shoulders & Forward Head Position)
Ever catch yourself slouching at your desk or hunched over your phone?
That forward head posture and then rounded shoulders put your coracobrachialis in a shortened position for hours on end.
Over time, that leads to chronic tightness, shoulder dysfunction, and then even pain radiating down the arm.
If you’re stuck in this posture daily, your shoulders will pay the price.
3. Repetitive Overhead or Pushing Movements
If your job or sport has you frequently reaching overhead—painters, electricians, mechanics, volleyball players, gymnasts—your coracobrachialis is constantly engaged.
The more you push, the more the muscle contracts, leading to trigger points and restricted shoulder mobility [4] (Triantafyllou, et. al. 2023).
You might start noticing that raising your arm overhead feels stiff or weak.
That’s your coracobrachialis telling you it’s had enough.
4. Muscle Imbalances from Weak Opposing Muscles
This is a big one. If your back muscles are weak, your chest and the pectoralis major or the front of your shoulder muscles—where the coracobrachialis lives—end up doing all the work.
That creates a muscular imbalance where the front of your body is constantly pulling forward, making things like shoulder pain, tightness, and then posture problems inevitable.
So, what’s the fix? Balance it out.
Strengthen the other muscles in your upper back, release the coracobrachialis, and then focus on improving posture.
It’s not about stretching alone [3] —you need a full plan to restore shoulder function and then keep this muscle from locking up again (Kobayashi, et. al. 2021).
Coracobrachialis Trigger Point Release Exercises
1. Inspection and Palpation
- Begin in an upright standing position with your feet hip-width apart, maintaining good alignment with your head, shoulders, hips, and then legs.
- Bring your arm up and move your hand almost into your armpit, looking in between your biceps and then triceps.
- Again, repeat this movement until you find your coracobrachialis point.
2. Pressing with Fingers or Thumb
- Begin in an upright standing position with your feet hip-width apart, maintaining good alignment with your head, shoulders, hips, and then legs.
- Push on the muscle between your tricep and bicep, with your fingers or your thumb.
- Rock the muscle from side to side, up and then down.
- Repeat this movement for each arm 10 – 15 times.
3. Pressing with a Ball
For this exercise, utilize a small ball or anything round and then hard.
- Begin in an upright standing position with your feet hip-width apart, maintaining good alignment with your head, shoulders, hips, and then legs.
- Place the small ball beneath your arm, between your tricep and then bicep.
- Move your arm forward and backward, without dropping and putting pressure on the ball.
- Repeat this movement for each arm 10 – 15 times.
4. Cross Body Reaches
- Begin in an upright standing position with your feet shoulder-width apart, maintaining good alignment with your head, shoulders, hips, and then legs.
- Bend your elbows to the sides.
- Engage your core and twist your upper body to one side, moving one arm across your chest to reach shoulder height.
- Return to the starting position and then repeat the movement on the opposite side.
- Complete 10 repetitions on each side.
5. Shoulder Flexion
For this exercise, utilize an exercise band.
- Begin in an upright standing position with your feet hip-width apart, maintaining good alignment with your head, shoulders, hips, and legs.
- Put one hand on your hip while the other holds the end of the exercise band.
- Lead with one foot out and step on the other end of the band.
- Then, slowly raise your arm to shoulder level and hold this position, taking several deep belly breaths through your nose and out your mouth.
- Return to the starting position and then repeat the movement 10 times on each arm.
Final Thoughts
Give that a go to release the coracobrachialis and refer back to that previous video where I talked about stretching the coracobrachialis. What works out well is to do the release on the coracobrachialis and then go through that specific stretch that targets the coracobrachialis.
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Take care!
Rick Kaselj, MS
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. What causes trigger points in the coracobrachialis muscle?
Trigger points in the coracobrachialis can develop due to repetitive overhead movements, poor posture, muscle imbalances, or excessive tension in the
Activities like weightlifting, rock climbing, and then even prolonged computer use can contribute to muscle tightness.
2. How do I know if my coracobrachialis has a trigger point?
Trigger points in the coracobrachialis may cause localized tenderness, as well as referred pain down the front of the shoulder and then upper arm, possibly even into the hand. You may feel muscle tightness or discomfort when pressing between your biceps brachii near the arm pit, just below the shoulder joint.
3. Can I use a massage gun to release the coracobrachialis?
Yes, a massage gun can help release tension in the coracobrachialis. Use it on a low setting to avoid excessive pressure, and then gently move it along the upper arm for 1-2 minutes. Focus on the area between the biceps and triceps, but avoid areas with bone or nerves.
4. How often should I perform these trigger point release exercises?
You can perform these exercises 2-3 times a week or daily if you experience significant muscle tightness.
Consistency is key, but avoid overdoing it, as excessive pressure can cause soreness.
5. Should I stretch or release the coracobrachialis first?
It’s generally recommended to perform trigger point release exercises first to loosen the muscle, followed by stretching to improve flexibility.
This sequence helps reduce muscle tightness while increasing shoulder mobility.