Spinal thought 126. In the top half of the back beneath the most superficial muscles lie three muscles which all act to raise the shoulder blade (scapula). One of these is levator scapulae, so named for its action, which originates from the transverse processes of vertebrae one to four. It inserts on the superior angle of the medial border of the scapula. Its exact shape and attachments may vary: it may be subdivided into several parts; a slip of it may extend to the occipital or mastoid bone, or to the first or second rib. Levator scapulae tilts and rotates the head to the side, e.g. when you hold the phone between the ear and shoulder. When both sides are working the shoulder girdle is lifted and the head is pulled backward. If you find your shoulders are pulled up around your ears it might be instead the neck which is pulled down between the shoulders. So instead of immediately thinking “drop shoulders”, STOP and ask the neck to be free, the head to release forward and up to let the spine and back lengthen and follow the head up. You find the shoulders will release more easily and if your up directions they are less likely to migrate up towards your ears again.
Posted on: Tue, 06 May 2014 06:18:51 +0000
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015