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Levator scapulae stretch
This is an excerpt from Prescriptive Stretching by Kristian Berg.
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As always, it is important to start in the correct position when stretching. Hunching over while sitting prevents you from stretching as well as you could if you were sitting up straight. Be aware of the rotation of your head. When you have turned your head 45 degrees and you are starting to bend it forward, you must make sure that everything is in line so that you do not pull the muscle at a bad angle.
Muscle Facts
The levator scapulae runs between the upper part of the shoulder blades and the top four cervical vertebrae. It is a thin, flat muscle located just below the upper part of the trapezius.
It rotates and tilts the head to the side. When both sides of the muscle work simultaneously, it raises the shoulder girdle and bends the head backward.
Causes of Tightness
The levator scapulae is shortened by bad posture, by permanently raising the shoulder or the shoulder girdle, or by holding a phone between the cheek and the shoulder.
Since the levator scapulae raises the shoulder girdle, it also works statically in times of stress since the shoulders are often raised in response to tension.
Symptoms of Tightness
• Difficulty rotating the head
• Difficulty placing the chin on the chest
• Headache at the back of the head
• Kink in the neck
Flexibility Test
You should be able to rotate the head approximately 90 degrees and to bend the neck approximately 45 degrees to the side.
Precautions
Avoid this exercise if it causes pain in the neck.
Technique
Sit on a chair or bench with your feet wide apart and your back and abs slightly tightened. Reach behind you with your right hand and grab the edge of the chair. Lean your upper body to the left, keeping your head upright. You will feel a light pull in your right shoulder or upper arm.
Now try to lift your right shoulder toward the ceiling for five seconds. Do not allow your body to move sideways. Relax for a couple of seconds and then lean your upper body a little more to the side. You have now reached the correct starting position for the stretch.
Rotate your head 45 degrees to the left. Place your left hand behind your head and gently pull it at an angle toward your knee. Stretch the muscle in this manner for 5 to 10 seconds. Stop the movement when you feel a slight sting in the right side of your neck. Next, relax the muscle for 5 to 10 seconds.
Resist by carefully pushing your head backward into your hand. Next, relax the muscle for 5 to 10 seconds.
Deepen the stretch by slowly pulling your head toward your chest in the direction of your knee until you reach a new ending point.
Repeat two or three times.
Common Mistakes
• Failing to sit up straight
• Compressing the neck instead of moving the head forward and down
• Rotating the head either too much or not enough
• Movement does not follow the direction of the nose straight toward the knee
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Comments
This muscle can be hard to stretch if other muscles are tight. If you find this exercise difficult, try to stretch the upper part of the trapezius and the suboccipital muscles first.
Learn more about Prescriptive Stretching.
More Excerpts From Prescriptive Stretching
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