It is estimated that about two thirds of all people experience neck pain at some point in their life. For a subset of this population, this can easily progress to a chronic condition lasting several months or years. But what contributes to this?
Overview of Cervical Spine
The cervical spine consists of seven vertebrae that allow for flexion, extension, rotation and side bending of the neck. These vertebrae are supported by the ligamentous structures that form the joints between the vertebrae as well as several muscles that allow for stability and movement of the neck. Larger muscles such as the sternocleidomastoid, levator scapulae, splenius capitis, and upper trapezius are able to generate considerable force and help provide stability of the neck. Smaller muscles referred to as the deep neck flexors are unable to provide as much force as the larger muscles in the neck, but have a significant role in providing stability for the cervical spine. While these are often addressed when treating neck pain, other muscles in the thoracic spine may go overlooked during treatment.
The Lower Trapezius
The trapezius muscle can be broken down into three portions: upper, middle, and lower. Most people have adequate strength in the upper trapezius but may demonstrate significant weakness in the mid and lower trapezius. Spanning from T2 to T12 of the thoracic spine and inserting on the spine of the scapula, the lower trapezius helps to depress the scapula and facilitates proper biomechanics of the shoulder. This muscle also contributes to postural control and stability of the thoracic spine. If there is significant weakness in this muscle, it may be difficult to assume normal posture and compensatory motions may be made when moving the shoulder. This can result in alterations in motion of the cervical spine and can cause excess activation of the muscles in the neck. Evidence has shown that those who engage in a lower trapezius strengthening regimen as part of their neck pain treatment report improvements in their neck disability, improved postural alignment, and increased muscle thickness and contraction rate of the lower trapezius.
If you experience neck pain, physical therapy can help provide significant relief. A physical therapist can identify areas of weakness and tightness around the cervical and thoracic spine and prescribe exercises specific to your limitations. Manual therapy can also be used to facilitate improvements in range of motion and to decrease muscle tone around the neck. If you suffer from neck pain or stiffness, Call Respire Physical Therapy at 703-671-1871 or click here to schedule an appointment with one of our Physical Therapists and get back to a life without pain!
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