Rhomboid stretch and massage

Because the rhomboid is a bracing muscle (it braces your shoulder so that your arm and hand have a stable base to work from), it contracts a lot but scarcely ever changes its length. This is a recipe for trigger point knots and tight bands in the rhomboid muscle and surrounding connective tissue. The problem can remain hidden for months or years and only then only reveal itself when a massage therapist notes one shoulder blade pulled in close to the spine, or perhaps when you make a sudden move that lengthens the rhomboid and causes a tight band or its insertion point on the inner border of the shoulder blade to give you a nasty twinge.

Less obvious are subtle losses in control and coordination of movements, such as when playing classical guitar or violin. The solution is to do my little daily Rhomboid muscle stretch and massage maintenance.