© Copyright 2015 Thai Bodywork, Inc. All Rights Reserved

CTB™ Membership: Shoulder Module

Week 8 Levator Scapulae

© Copyright 2015 Thai Bodywork, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Levator ScapulaeLevator ScapulaeThe levator scapulae attaches from the transverse processes of the cervical vertebrae 1-4 to the superior angle of the scapula.  With the scapula fixed, it rotates the head to the same side.  With the neck fixed, it elevates the scapula and downwardly rotates it.  Bilaterally, it is a neck extensor and checkreins neck flexion.  It acts as a neck and scapular stabilizer and is in relationship with all the muscles attaching to the neck and scapula.

The levator scapulae is known as the "stiff neck" muscle.  Its hallmark is to painfully limit rotation of the head to the same side.  The muscle cramps as it is shortened.  A person with a levator scapula activation will be unable to turn his/her head, but will turn the whole torso instead.   The pain is felt along the posterior neck and into the interscapular area along the medial border of the scapula.  This pain into the interscapular area will influence the muscles that live there (rhomboids, mid trap, low trap) and set them up for dysfunction.  Levator scapulae is an important source of this ubiquitous interscapular pain and dysfunction of the rhomboids, mid/low trap.

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