Latissimus Dorsi Pain – Pain in your Lats

Every day movements can cause you to develop trigger points in your latissimus dorsi muscles which are commonly called your “Lats”. These movements may not be overly strenuous to cause strain in your latissimus dorsi. In fact they can occur at work, while exercising and even when doing simple household chores like gardening. 

Trigger points in your latissimus dorsi, which is quite a large muscle, can cause a variety of painful symptoms.  

Some of the common areas of pain may be: 

• constant thoracic back pain that is unrelated to activity
• frozen shoulder
• thoracic outlet syndrome
• back pain caused turning in bed
• dull aching under your shoulder blade
• sharp pains in the back of your shoulder when resting on your elbows
• pain when lifting your arms

Stretching regularly may help prevent trigger points becoming active and sore. Stretching will also provide some relief from pain.

If you still experience pain in your lats, shoulders, neck, arms or thoracic spine then you will need a physiotherapy assessment. At City Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Clinic, our friendly physiotherapists will assist you with treatment for a muscle pain free life.  

At City Physio, we can provide manual therapy release for latissimus dorsi pain. Dry needling is also very effective to release the trigger points that may be contributing to your Latissimus dorsi pain. Our physiotherapists will also teach you relieving exercises and assess the biomechanical reasons your Lats may be tight and sore.

You can avoid latissimus dorsi pain recurring by practicing some preventative methods, especially if you are prone to lat pain. If you regularly use this muscle through exercise or sport, make sure you:

• maintain good posture and avoid slouching
• drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially before and after exercising
• get an occasional massage to loosen any tightness in your back and shoulders
• make sure you properly stretch and warm up before exercising or playing sports
• apply a heating pad before working out
• do cool-down exercises after working out

Need Help?

If you need treatment or advice for pain in your lats, come and see us at City Physiotherapy. Our experienced physiotherapists can help to diagnose and treat pain in your latissimus dorsi and other muscle related problems.

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