Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAnatomyFunctionAssociated ConditionsRehabilitationStrengthening Exercises
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Anatomy
Function
Associated Conditions
Rehabilitation
Strengthening Exercises
Thebrachialisis a muscle located in your arm near the crook of your elbow. This muscle works to flex (or bend) your elbow when your hand and forearm are in a pronated position with your palm facing down.
It works closely with yourbicepsbrachiiandbrachioradialismusclesto ensure that your elbow bends appropriately. Injury to the brachialis muscle may cause pain and limit your ability to use your arm normally.
This article will explain where the brachialis muscle is in your body, its function, and exercises to strengthen it. It also covers possible injuries and recovery to the brachialis muscle.
The brachialis muscle originates from the front of yourhumerus, or upper arm bone. It arises from the distal part of the bone, below your biceps brachii muscle. It then courses down the front of your arm, over your elbow joint, and inserts on yourulna’scoronoid process and tuberosity. The brachialis and supinator muscles make up the floor of the cubital fossa of your elbow.
Nerve innervation to the brachialis muscle is the musculocutaneous nerve and some parts of theradial nerve. This corresponds to a spinal level of cervical five and six. Branches of the brachial artery and recurrent radial artery provide blood supply to the muscle.
The function of the brachialis is to flex your elbow, especially when your forearm is in the pronated, or palm-down, position. It has a large cross-sectional area and can produce more strength than the biceps brachii.
Your healthcare provider can easily test the strength of your brachialis muscle. To do this, sit in a chair with your elbow bent. Turn your forearm over into a pronated position, and have someone press down, attempting to straighten your elbow. If you can withstand the force of someone pushing your arm, then brachialis strength is considered adequate.
The brachialis muscle may be injured if a forceful or repetitive strain is placed upon it, especially if your elbow is in a pronated position when the force is applied. Climbers, throwing athletes, and people who participate in racquet sports may suffer from a brachialis injury due to overuse orrepetitive strain.
Symptoms of brachialis injury may include:
Brachialis Strain vs. Tennis ElbowThe symptoms of a brachialis strain and tennis elbow may be similar. However, tennis elbow involves inflammation of the tendons, whereas a strained brachialis involves injury to the muscle.
Brachialis Strain vs. Tennis Elbow
The symptoms of a brachialis strain and tennis elbow may be similar. However, tennis elbow involves inflammation of the tendons, whereas a strained brachialis involves injury to the muscle.
People suffering fromneck painwith cervicalradiculopathymay experience brachialis weakness, especially if cervical level five or six is involved.
If you suspect you have injured your brachialis muscle, visit your healthcare provider. They can assess your condition and guide you to the correct treatment.
Diagnosis of a brachialis injury involves a clinical examination of elbowrange of motionand strength, an X-ray to assess for possible fracture, andmagnetic resonance imaging (MRI)to evaluate the soft tissues in your anterior elbow.
If you have experienced an injury to your brachialis, rehabilitation may include treatment throughphysical therapy (PT)to recover. Initial treatment of your brachialis injury often follows theP.O.L.I.C.E. principle. This stands for protection, optimal loading, ice, compression, and elevation.
Ultrasound
Anultrasound devicemay also be used to heat the brachialis muscle. A specialized wand introduces ultrasonic waves through the skin and into the muscle during this physical therapy treatment. This causes the muscle and tendon cells to expand and contract, heating the tissue.
Ultrasound is done before stretching to improve tissue extensibility. When combined with other treatment methods, deep heat ultrasound may decrease pain.
Massage and TENS
Massage may also be an effective treatment for brachialis injury. Massage can help decrease pain, improve blood flow, and improve tissue extensibility to the muscle. It is often performed before stretching.
If you are experiencing pain in the front of your elbow due to a brachialis injury, you may benefit from electrical stimulation.Transcutaneouselectrical neuromuscular stimulation(TENS) may decrease pain. With less pain, you may be able to engage in your rehab program for your injured brachialis fully.
When to See a Healthcare ProviderMost injuries to your brachialis (or any other muscle) heal within about six to eight weeks. If you continue to experience pain or limited mobility after that time, you should check in with your healthcare provider for further assessment. A muscle tear, which is extremely rare, must be ruled out. If your brachialis muscle is torn, surgery may be performed to repair it.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Most injuries to your brachialis (or any other muscle) heal within about six to eight weeks. If you continue to experience pain or limited mobility after that time, you should check in with your healthcare provider for further assessment. A muscle tear, which is extremely rare, must be ruled out. If your brachialis muscle is torn, surgery may be performed to repair it.
You work your brachialis muscle every time you exercise your bicep muscle. However, if you are looking to strengthen your brachialis muscle specifically, there are several exercises you can do.
1. Hammer Curls
Stand with your legs straight and hip-width apart. Hold a dumbbell with a comfortable weight in each hand. With your palm facing the outside of your legs and your thumbs facing forward, curl your lower arm towards your shoulders, hold for a second, then lower.
2. Cross-Body Hammer Curl
3. Zottman Curl
Similar to the hammer and cross-body hammer curl, stand with your legs straight and hip-width apart. Hold a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing your outer legs. Then, just like the hammer curl, begin curling your lower arms upwards.
4. Narrow Grip Pull Up
How narrow you choose to do a narrow grip pull-up depends on your strength and preference. However, generally, a narrow pull-up means that your hands are on the pull-up bar at a width that is shoulder-width apart or narrower than your shoulders.
Grip the bar with extended arms and palms facing away from you. Tuck your elbows in and move your shoulder blades down as you pull yourself up so your chin goes above the pull-up bar.
5. Preacher Curl
You’ll need your dumbbells or a weighted bar and the appropriate padded bar to do a preacher curl. Sit down with your armpits resting on the top of the bar. The tops of your arms should lie flat on the padding. Holding your weights or bar, keep your palms facing up and your elbows in line with your shoulders, and curl up then down.
Be careful not to hyperextend on the way down. Before straightening your arms, curl back up, keeping tension on the biceps and brachialis muscles.
Summary
The brachialis is a muscle in the front of your elbow that flexes or bends the joint. It does this when your forearm is in a palm-down, pronated position. Injury to the muscle may typically cause pain and difficulty using your arm. Several interventions are available to help heal a brachialis injury. Additionally, you can perform various exercises to strengthen your brachialis.
2 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Sung JH, Lee JM, Kim JH.The effectiveness of ultrasound deep heat therapy for adhesive capsulitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(3):1859.Feng H, Li C, Liu J, et al.Virtual reality rehabilitation versus conventional physical therapy for improving balance and gait in parkinson’s disease patients: a randomized controlled trial.Med Sci Monit. 2019;25:4186-4192. doi:10.12659/MSM.916455
2 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Sung JH, Lee JM, Kim JH.The effectiveness of ultrasound deep heat therapy for adhesive capsulitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(3):1859.Feng H, Li C, Liu J, et al.Virtual reality rehabilitation versus conventional physical therapy for improving balance and gait in parkinson’s disease patients: a randomized controlled trial.Med Sci Monit. 2019;25:4186-4192. doi:10.12659/MSM.916455
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Sung JH, Lee JM, Kim JH.The effectiveness of ultrasound deep heat therapy for adhesive capsulitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(3):1859.Feng H, Li C, Liu J, et al.Virtual reality rehabilitation versus conventional physical therapy for improving balance and gait in parkinson’s disease patients: a randomized controlled trial.Med Sci Monit. 2019;25:4186-4192. doi:10.12659/MSM.916455
Sung JH, Lee JM, Kim JH.The effectiveness of ultrasound deep heat therapy for adhesive capsulitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(3):1859.
Feng H, Li C, Liu J, et al.Virtual reality rehabilitation versus conventional physical therapy for improving balance and gait in parkinson’s disease patients: a randomized controlled trial.Med Sci Monit. 2019;25:4186-4192. doi:10.12659/MSM.916455
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