Ways to remember the causes for pain in different muscles:

 

Gluteus Minimus –       S.N.A.P.

• S = sacroiliac joint dysfunction

• N = nerve root irritation

• A = acute stress

• P = prolonged inmobility

 

Iliopsoas –      P.R.O.S.

• P = prolonged sitting

• R = rectus femoris tightness

• O = overload strain

• S = sleeping in fetal position

 

Infraspinatus –      A.R.T.

• A = acute stress or multiple overload stress

• R = reaching arm behind and away

• T = twisting arm during a fall

 

Levator Scapula –  H.O.T.  W.A.S.H.

• H = holding the phone between ear and shoulder

• O = occupational stresses

• T = typing with head and neck turned

• W = walking with cane

• A = acute stress

• S = sleeping with neck in tilted position

• H = hypertonic muscles

 

Multifidi and rotatores – S.R. (like “MR” in Spanish)  Quick Pick

• S = sudden overload or traumatic event

• R = repeated muscular contraction

• Q = quick bending and twisting

• P = prolonged immobility (such as sitting on a plane)

 

Quadratus Lumborum -    S.A.M.

• S = sudden trauma

• A = awkward movements

• M = motor vehicle accident

 

Rhomboid major and minor -  R.A.P.

• R = rounded shoulders

• A = acute stress

• P = prolonged leaning forward

 

Sartorius -       SO

• S = secondary TPs of thigh muscle

• O = overload strain in a twisting fall

 

Scalenes -    W.A.C.K.

• W = whiplash injury

• A = accidental trauma

• C = carrying awkward, large objects

• K = kink in the neck from sleeping in an awkward position

 

Sternocleidomastoid -   P.E.P.S.I.

• P = poor posture

• E = excessive forward head posture

• P = protracted neck extension

• S = sitting with head turned to the side for a long period of time

• I = injury due to whiplash

 

Suboccipitals -     Fast Sleeper

• F = forward head posture

• S = sustained flexion of the neck

 

Subscapularis – D.R.   (Dominican Republic)

• D = dislocation of glenohumeral joint

• R = repeated overhead lifting

 

Supraspinatus – Charismatic Weight Lifter

• C = carrying heavy objects that pull inferiorly, such as a suitcase

• W = walking a big dog that pulls hard on the leash

• L = lifting heavy object above shoulder height

 

Tensor Fasciae Latae -    S.L.O.W.

• S = shortened position for long periods without mobilization

• L = Landing on feet from high jump

• O = overload strain

• W = walking or running on sloped surface

 

Trapezius –  S.A.W.

• S = sudden trauma, such as falling

• A = arm rests in high position

• W = whiplash injury