Today's muscle is LEVATOR SCAPULA
(plural: levator scapulae)
'Levator Scap' (I like to call it for short!)
attaches onto the sides of our top four vertebrae in the neck
(the transverse processes of C1-C4) and connects to the top corner of
the
shoulder blade on the same side
(in anatomical terms: it connects to
the medial border of the scapula - between the superior angle & the
root of the spine of the scapula.)
Some muscle's names describe what action they
are responsible for! Levator meaning to "elevate" and and scapula
meaning, well, scapula (aka shoulder blade!)
Levator Scapula lifts the
shoulder blade!
You'll see that this muscle has a natural twist in
it! This twist in the muscle fibers creates a density that can often be
mistaken for a knot in the shoulder!
When we're feeling, tension& stress or
feeling chilly, working for a long time on computers, our shoulders have
a tendency to creep up towards our ears! (If you've ever been to a Yoga
class, I'm sure you're familiar with the term "intend your shoulders
AWAY from your ears" ;)
To give Levator Scap some love (aka A GOOD stretch)
read this first!
-seated
with the shoulder down > to do this you can put your arm behind your
back like you're trying to reach between your shoulder blades (scapulae)
*if this is uncomfortable simply extend your arm down (elbow straight)
& hold the seat of a chair also does the trick! (hope that makes
sense! your fingers would curl under the seat)
-then slowly flex your neck forward (chin towards
chest) & ALSO intending opposite ear to opposite shoulder (for
example if you were stretching the LEFT side > left shoulder
depresses > right ear intends towards right shoulder)
- TO INTENSIFY STRETCH: USE your opposite hand on your head to gently add pressure to your head :)
*always
move slowly to avoid injury* when you find a juicy spot: HOLD for 15-30
seconds and Breathe. REMEMBER TO DO THE OTHER SIDE TOO!
THIS STRETCH ENCOURAGES A BEAUTIFUL POSTURE ;)
(Shoulders living close to ears? not hot.)
(Shoulders living close to ears? not hot.)
