Muscles causing headaches - Sternocleidomastoid (SCM) - Dr Gert Ferreira - Chiropractor in Centurion
SCM muscle causing headaches - Dr Gert Ferreira - Chiropractor in Pretoria
The next muscle to be discussed is the SCM -Sternocleidomastoid muscle. We will have a look in how this muscle can cause a headache and how a chiropractor can treat this relevant muscle. This is a big cause in headaches...
Anatomy:
The muscle originates at the base of the scull on the temporal bone and inserts at the sternum and clavicle. The nerve that innervates this muscle is the spinal accessory nerve. The muscle is responsible for the following actions: Rotation of head, lateral flexion, can also help with neck flexion and head extension.
Common Injuries:
This muscle is commonly injured in a car accident - "whiplash" injury. This is the most common cause that a Chiropractor treat. This injury can take time to heal because it is under constant stress, when we sitting behind a computer etc. Another common way to injure this muscle is to watch tennis, lift your head from a pillow and heavy breathing (This muscle is classified as an accessory breathing muscle).
Pain pattern:
The pattern of the headache you can see below. The pain can be felt in the base of the scull, and above the eyes. The referred pain in this muscle can cause a misdiagnosis of tension headache. Pain in the upper part of the muscle can cause balance problems.
SCM referral pain - Dr Gert Ferreira - Chiropractor in Centurion
How a chiropractor can treat this muscle:
Typically a Chiropractor will do an array of soft tissue work (muscle work) that includes, massage, myofascial dry needling (wrongly referred asAcupuncture), kinesio taping (RockTape) and even Fascia "release".
A Chiropractic adjustment will be delivered to the affected neck vertebrae to "reset" the body system and try to get homeostasis.
Home treatment includes:
Stretching
Ice or Heat therapy - Click here for a blog on Ice therapy, but heat therapy can work just as well
For more infomation please feel free to get hold of us:
012 663 1572
082 803 1949
dr.gertferreira@gmail.com
Regards
