This is the first instalment of our blog series about muscles that cause headaches. Namely, the Trapezius muscle. This muscle is one of the most treated muscles in my chiropractic practice. Regularly we get asked questions about this muscle. Including, ‘Can a Chiropractor treat this muscle?’, or “What causes these headaches?”. So, these will all be answered in this blog.
Anatomy:
Common injuries:
Postural fatigue syndrome due to repetitive work and posture sitting at desk. There are other factors that can injure the muscle. Including, forward rotated shoulders, whiplash, one side sports activities and cradling a phone with one shoulder.
Referral pain pattern:
The headaches that we see in our chiropractic practice is showed above. Typical headache on the base of the skull, the tension neck ache pain. It can stretch all the way around to the temples and back of the eyes.
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 as Acupuncture), 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 – Click here for stretches
Ice or Heat therapy – Click here for a blog on Ice therapy, but heat therapy can work just as well
If you suffer from lower back pain due to the Trapezius muscles, make an appointment to see your chiropractor.
