CHARLOTTE – It’s amazing what you can feel when your levator scapula starts to get irritated.
Location: the levator scapula muscle originates at the spinal processes of C1 – C4 and attaches to the medial border of the scapula. In layman’s terms it’s attached to your spine and your scapula and extends up and attaches to the back of your neck. It’s covered by the sternocleidomastoid and the trapezius
Action: The primary job of the LS is to elevate the scapula. It also works to rotate the scapula and assists in stabilizing your neck as you look downwards, also helps to stabilize when you’re leaning over to the side.
How can you tell you might have an issue with your LS? You’ll be able to feel it along your spine up to your neck or perhaps in the middle of your shoulder blades. It’s a common injury or source of pain. Actions such as carrying heavy items on one arm, bending over your computer, and actions that are caused by repetitive motions (tennis, baseball, swimming) are among many things that can lead to problems with this muscle.
What can massage do? The great thing about you massage is your therapist can find the trigger points that make this muscle uncomfortable. We can also manipulate the muscle from end to end in order to work the fibers and get the muscle to relax and engage the way it’s meant to. This muscle also responds very well to cupping. Ask your therapist what’s right for you.
-Lisa Lane, licensed massage and bodywork therapist (#13098) has been a LMBT in Mint Hill for the past 9 years. To make an appointment, check out her website at www.ncmassagesanctuary.massagetherapy.com.
