7. Rhomboids Major & Minor

Origin:

Minor: SP of C7/T1 and lower portion of ligamentum nuchae

Major: SP of T2-T5

Insertion: Medial border of the scapular spine (slightly on the anterior surface) from the scapular spine to the inferior angle

Action:

  • Scapular retraction
  • Scapular elevation
  • Inferior rotation of the scapula
  • Stabilizes the scapula on the thoracic cage

Innervation: Dorsal scapular nerve (C4/C5)

Rhomboids.
Figure 7.14 Rhomboids, adapted by Uwe Gille from the original image by Henry Gray and Henry Vandyke Carter (Public domain).

Needling

Position:

    1. Prone with arm behind back
    2. Side lying on same side – Slightly rotate the patient forward if needed

Palpation: Palpate medial border of scapula – Encourage as much scapular winging as possible

Technique: Needle directly towards medial border of scapula hooking fingers around medial border when possible – Use medial scapular border as a backdrop for needling

Caution: High – easy to slide under scapula – Lung field directly under scapula

Needling rhomboids.
Figure 7.15 Needling rhomboids, original image by Nadine Crocker, CC BY-NC 4.0.

Video 7.9 Needling rhomboids, original video by Nadine Crocker, CC BY-NC 4.0.

Video 7.10 Needling of rhomboids, original video by Nadine Crocker, CC BY-NC 4.0.

License

Icon for the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License

Sinew Channel Needling Copyright © 2026 by Nadine Crocker is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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