8/4/2023 0 Comments Levator scapulae stretch![]() Achieving muscle balance is key for preventing long-term or chronic pain issues, specifically in the spine,” she says.Īs Folden points out, if one muscle gets “out of whack,” it’s only a matter of time before surrounding musculature becomes involved and more problems arise. “But also to allow balance with other muscles of the neck, shoulder, and upper back. Folden, a licensed physical therapist who runs Healthy Phit Physical Therapy and Wellness Consultants in Charlotte, North Carolina. “The levator scapulae should be a priority for stretching to prevent pain, stiffness, tightness, and impaired posture,” says Lisa N. This is exactly why stretching your levator scapulae on a regular basis is so important for shoulder and nec k health. You may also find it harder to turn your head, lift your arms overhead, or put your chin on your chest.Įach of these movements requires the engagement of your levator scapulae, and if one (or both) of yours are tight, it’s going to be a whole lot harder to manage these basic movements. You know-those nagging headaches that leave you massaging the base of your skull, praying they would go away. When neck pain might be your levator scapulaeĪs a result, if your levator scapulae is chronically engaged and tight, you’re likely to find yourself battling shoulder and neck pain (including shoulder impingement), as well as headaches at the back of the head and neck. Plus, high stress levels can also cause us to unwittingly scrunch up our shoulders,” Durney says. ![]() “A big part of this is the poor posture that many of us find ourselves in for large portions of the day-carrying heavy shoulder bags, hunching over a desk, holding a phone between the ear and the shoulder, and sleeping without proper support. “Of all the muscles in the body, the levator scapulae is one of the most prone to becoming stiff,” says Brett Durney, co-founder and personal trainer at Fitness Lab, which operates boutique personal training gyms in London. ![]() Now think for a second about what happens when you’re chronically stressed out, sitting at a desk all day, hunching forward in front of your computer.Ĭhances are, you’re crunching your shoulders up slightly, tightening the levator scapulae. In other words, it’s a small muscle with an important job. Shrug your shoulders for a second-notice how your shoulder blades lift upward, allowing you to do the motion? Congratulations, you’ve just seen the levator scapulae at work.Īs the name suggests, this small muscle group that connects the spine to the scapula is charged with elevating the scapula, as well as assisting larger muscle groups with other shoulder and neck motions.
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