Scalenes

I feel like the universes threw this muscle into my lap this week. In my work i will have weeks where all of my clients have problems with the same area. this week for me it's the scalene muscles. I have had some pretty good results this week, but i also realized that i don't know theses muscles as well as i would like to. The scalenes are relatively small muscles, and they aren't common place where people think their pain is coming from, however they are sneaky and can cause numerous problems.

There are three pairs of these muscles and they are along the sides of the neck. these muscles attach on the vertebrae from numbers 2 to 7 and come down and attach onto the first and second ribs.

The function of these muscles are to bend the neck to the side, like you were bringing your eye brow to the shoulder on the same side. They also assist with breathing and elevating the first and second ribs.

In chest breathers, the scalenes can become over working and tight because they are doing too much work. I find that people who are under a lot of stress will breathe primarily into their chest and it in turn causes pain in the neck.

Another important thing about the scalene muscles is they are surrounded and intertwined with many nerves and arteries. The most noteworthy is the brachial plexus which passes through the middle and anterior scalenes. If the scalenes become tight and put extra pressure onto the brachial plexus, numbness, tingling, pain, and loss of strength can result in the arms and hands.

If you are having trouble with your neck, shoulders, arms or hands, your scalenes may be playing a role in the dysfunction!

Stay healthy and enjoy the sunshine today!