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Unlock Your Neck: Easy Stretches for Tight Scalene and Sternocleidomastoid Muscles
Written by Janne SakkinenOMT & Occupational Health Physiotherapist, University InstructorPublished 2024-11-01
In short
Janne covers the anatomy of the scalene muscles and sternocleidomastoid, and demonstrates specific stretches and self-massage techniques (including a lacrosse-ball trick) to relieve neck tightness, tension headaches, and arm symptoms.
Clinical keywords#Unlock Your Neck: Easy Stretches for Tight Scalene and Sternocleidomastoid Muscles#Spine, joint & pelvic floor#OMT Physical Therapist Janne Sakkinen#TMJ Disorders#Bruxism#Jaw Pain
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Full video transcript & clinical text
2 paragraphsHave you noticed a tightness or tenderness in the muscles around the neck? Do certain neck structures cramp easily, or do you experience significant movement limitations in your neck? Are you feeling tingling or numbness in your arm, or perhaps suffering from tension headaches? Great news, you have come to the right place. We're going to go through everything you need to know about the anatomy of the lateral neck muscles and how you can easily alleviate these annoying symptoms right from home. Stick around until the end of the video because there's a special bonus that will help you easily relax your neck muscles just by using the weight of the head and the neck.
In everyday activities and normal loading situations, a forward head posture or a poorly slept night can intensify the symptoms in the arm or in the neck area. The neck has a few muscle groups that assist in breathing, and if we have to hold our head in a forward position for extended periods, a single muscle can become overloaded. The important anatomical structures you should know about in the neck are the scalene muscles - aka rib elevators - and the sternocleidomastoid, the head support muscle. ---
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Q: What clinical topics are covered in "Unlock Your Neck: Easy Stretches for Tight Scalene and Sternocleidomastoid Muscles"?
Janne covers the anatomy of the scalene muscles and sternocleidomastoid, and demonstrates specific stretches and self-massage techniques (including a lacrosse-ball trick) to relieve neck tightness, tension headaches, and arm symptoms.
Q: How are the instructions in "Unlock Your Neck: Easy Stretches for Tight Scalene and Sternocleidomastoid Muscles" applied to cervical and musculoskeletal rehabilitation?
The video demonstrates specific movement patterns and clinical exercise progressions: Have you noticed a tightness or tenderness in the muscles around the neck? Do certain neck structures cramp easily, or do you experience significant movement limitations in your neck? Are you feeling tingling or numbness...
Q: When should you seek an OMT physical therapy consultation for symptoms related to this topic?
If symptoms relating to "Unlock Your Neck: Easy Stretches for Tight Scalene and Sternocleidomastoid Muscles" persist for more than 1–2 weeks, interfere with sleep or daily function, an in-person OMT evaluation is recommended to identify the root cause and ensure proper rehabilitation.
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Get free PDF guides (Google Drive)Medical disclaimer: The information presented in this article is strictly for educational purposes and does not replace a clinical physical therapy evaluation, medical diagnosis, or individualized treatment plan.