Scapula levator stretch

We all know that we need to do some activities before doing strenuous exercise. These activities not only relax the joints of the body, but also relax the muscles of the body. Some people will still suffer from muscle strain due to excessive exercise. Muscle strain will feel painful, especially in the levator scapulae area, which will affect activities. So how to stretch the levator scapulae?

When it comes to muscle treatment, we often have too many treatment methods: muscle relaxation, stretching, acupuncture, acupuncture and other methods. However, muscles always have the most suitable treatment method, or some methods are not suitable for certain muscles. For example, stretching the iliopsoas muscle is not suitable for some patients, and stretching the levator scapulae muscle is not suitable for modern people.

But there are always people who say that the stretching effect of the levator scapulae muscle is very good. After stretching this muscle, the tension in the neck and shoulders will disappear quickly. Indeed, after slow stretching, muscles can reduce their tension and return to their original length. But is the levator scapulae muscle really suitable for stretching? Please listen to me below.

Basic anatomy: levator scapulae (deep to the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles)

Starting point: 1-4 cervical transverse processes (atlas, axis, 3rd and 4th cervical transverse processes)

Insertion point: medial edge of scapula between medial angle of scapula and origin of scapular spine (superior angle and medial edge of scapula)

Function: Proximal fixation allows the scapula to be elevated and rotated downward. The distal fixed side contracts, causing the head to flex and extend toward the same side. Contract both sides to straighten and extend the neck.

Innervation: The third to fourth cervical nerves of the cervical plexus and the dorsal scapular nerve of the brachial plexus. Note: When contracting with distal fixation, the neck can be extended, and when contracting with proximal fixation, the shoulders can be raised.

In modern people's lives, the state of looking down far exceeds the state of looking up, whether in life or work. We all complete activities such as playing with mobile phones, computers, reading books, etc. with our heads down. Even you who are reading this are mostly doing so with your heads down.

When you lower your head and flex your neck, the levator scapulae muscles are stretched, right? Since the levator scapulae muscles are stretched for a long time in daily life, why do you need to stretch them to make them longer? Perhaps you will explain that the levator scapulae muscles are tense, and if they are tense, they need to be stretched so that they can relax.

Many muscles in the human body are in a state of tension in daily life or work, but not all muscles are shortened and tense. There are two types of muscle tension, concentric tension and eccentric tension, both of which can increase muscle tension. Concentric tension is shortened and eccentric tension is lengthened.