How to stretch sternocleidomastoid

The externalcleidomastoid are a múthick sculus and fáeasy to palpate that we can find in the anterior and lateral part of the neck, which fulfills different functions depending onón of if one s is activatedóit or both at the same time.

The neck, just like the face, it's a queenón of our body that is made up of a large number of múdogs, between the cuáthe scalenes are found, esplenio, straight, múhyoid sicles or the músternocleidomastoid sculus. in the regionón the neck it is possible to find a músternocleidomastoid sculus on each side.

Index

¿Cuál is the sternocleidomastoid?

The músternocleidomastoid sculus is one of the músculos más long zone, since it extends from its origin in the clavíass and sternumón until it inserts into the temporal bone, más specifically in the appómastoid physis.

The sternocleidomastoid is a múmuscle that has different functions depending on whether only one or both are activated. For this it is important to knowóthey don't work, and these are activated as follows:

  1. The contractionón unilateral produce flexióno in the head, inclinedón to the same side and rotationón to the opposite side.
  2. Contradict usón of both sternocleidomastoid becomes a powerful flexor of the head.
  3. in addition, help in carrying out the actionón to inspire.

Cómo stretch sternocleidomastoid

If you feel weakness in your legs or suffer, it is important that we know stretch sternocleidomastoid to avoid problems and ailments in this area of ​​the neck. To stretch this múrise from the kingsón cervical we must first proceed to perform a inclinedón the neck to the opposite side, for next rotate head to side to be stretched, making it hold the positionón for at least two minutes.

This is a self stretching, but if you want to carry out a stretch más complete, with the help of another person, what was previously described is done, but I knowñadd a little oneñto traceóno of the neck. During the stretch you should try to maintain a constant rhythm of breathingón.

Usually it is an area that is más stretched that strengthened, but in those cases where it is necessary to strengthen the múcentury, smooth movements can be carried out where rotation is includedón, inclinedón and flexión cervical, así such as active shoulder mobilizations. It is a múflexing cervical sculus, rotate and tilt head.

The pain in the músternocleidomastoid sculus

in regards to pain, the neck area is a regionón of the body that is very susceptible to changes in muscle tissues due to overloads, así how to adoptón of harmful postures that are carried out in a constant and continuous way.

In this type of case, además to know how stretch sternocleidomastoid according to the indications made, gentle mobilizations should be carried out, all designed to eliminate tensionón muscular. Nevertheless, in those cases where there is severe pain, lo máIt is advisable to put yourself in the hands of a physiotherapist, what to beá the professional who has to evaluate and diagnose to then indicate the treatment máit's right.

Causes más frequent pain in the múneck sculus

Many activities of our día a día can contribute to affect the músternocleidomastoid sculus, especially when keeping the neck in a certain positionón constantly or for long periods of time. Some common causes that generate pain and problems in this part of the body are the following::

  • When bad positions are adopted, either at bedtime or when sitting or even when carrying out certain activities.
  • When the neck area is tense due to stressés.
  • When contracting the neck to support the teléphone between shoulder and ear, something that is usual when using this communication deviceón.
  • When the head is tilted towards somethingún side for a constant time. like when we climb, we paint or look at the device mówill.
  • When the head is turned for a long period of time to fix the attentionón an algaúa specific point, like it happens in an auditorium, at the cinema, etcétera.

Sísymptoms of problems in the músternocleidomastoid sculus

Among the main sísymptoms of problems that can occur in the músternocleidomastoid sculus we can highlight the following:

  • cheek pain, on the temple and in the eye.
  • blurred or double vision.
  • Tearing in the eye on the affected side.
  • Pain in the upper part of the head or in the forehead.
  • Pain on one side of the neck, similar to what can be felt when díafter exercising.
  • Vérigor and imbalance.

Treatment for problems in the músternocleidomastoid sculus

If you suffer from problems in the músternocleidomastoid sicle it is necessary that you know the different options that you have to be able to treat problems in the same, being able to resort to the following solutions:

  • Massages: With the help of the thumb and íindex, sensitive points should be sought and then make slight movements between 5 a 10 times a dayía, until the ailment is reduced. The recoveryón may take several weeks.
  • treatment méI say: A health professional, how is a méI say or a physiotherapist, may be able to offer you appropriate advice in this regard, as  You can determine the source of the problem así as possible solutions to deal with it  eliminate theí ailments and other problems that affect this múcentury.
  • Electrostimulationón: In some cases it is recommended to resort to electrostimulationón, that contributes to achieve  help soothe the painóunique in a natural way, using impulses for itécitrus drugs that have few side effectsíyou. It is therefore one of the mostéall más used to deal with these types of problems in this múneck sculus.
  • Hot compresses: They help to reduce pain and inflammation.ón. In the market you can find different compresses of this type that when they combine heat with humidity, they can have a profound effect on the affected area., helping to optimize circulationón sanguíline and reduce inflammationón in a way más ráask.