Levator Scapulae Muscle Stretch / Manual and self stretching technique

  Levator Scapulae Muscle Stretch 

NOTE: The levator  scapulae muscle attaches to the superior angle of the scapula and causes it to rotate downward and elevate, it also attaches to the transverse processes of the upper cervical vertebrae and causes them to backward bend and rotate to the ipsilateral side. To minimize stress to the cervical spine, it is recommended that the cervical spine and head be placed at end-range and stabilized and that the stretch force be applied against the scapula.

Manual Stretch

Patient position-Sitting 

procedure:  The rotated opposite to side of tightness (looking away from the tight side) and forward bend until a slight pain The is felt in the  anterolateral aspect of the neck. 

 Abducted  affected side hand and  placed behind the head to help stabilize it in the rotated position.  Position of therapist Stand behind the patient and stabilize  the hand with one arm; place the other hand (same side as the tight muscle) over the superior angle of the scapula .  now muscle in its stretched position, have the patient inhale, then exhale .

 Maintain the stretch position   hold the shoulder and scapula down to perform stretch  as the patient inhale again he or she contracts the muscle against the resistance of the fixating hand). To increase the stretch, press down against the superior angle of the scapula.

Apply gentle stretch  hold-relax menuver, Do not stretch the  Levator muscle by forcing rotation on the head and neck.

Stretching of the levator scapulae muscle The therapist stabilizes the head and scapula as the patient breathes in contracting the muscle against the resistance. As the patient relaxes, the rib cage and scapula depress, which stretches the muscle

Self-Stretch

Patient position-Standing

procedure:- the head flex and rotated away from the tight muscle side, place the ipsilateral hand behind the head and the bent elbow against a wall. The other hand can be placed across the forehead to stabilize the rotated head. Instruction for patient to slide the elbow up the wall as he or she takes in a breath / inhale , then hold the position while exhaling 

 Self-stretching of the levator scapulae muscle 

(A) using upward rotation of the scapula 

Second Position of Levator stretch 

Patient position-Sitting 

procedure:-  head side bend and rotated away from the tight / affected side.   The patient  reach down and back  with the hand hold onto the seat of the chair on the side of the tightness to stabilize the scapula,  . The other hand is placed on the head to gently pull it forward and to the side in an oblique direction opposite the line of pull of the tight muscle 

                                                Self-stretching of the levator scapulae muscle

                                              B) using depression Di the scapula