SCM

So last week i got a suggestion on what muscle i should research next. This muscle has been a little bit of a challenge for me so i have been putting it off. Today I have decided to suck it up a tackle the thing. It's the Sternocleidomastoid muscle. Say that 10 times fast, or just make it easier on yourself and call it the SCM. The SCM, i have found, both being used too much, as well as not pulling it's weight and both ways causes a great amount of pain in the neck, head, and shoulders.

The SCM are front neck muscles. They are the big muscles that pop out when you turn your head to the opposite side. The SCM attaches on the clavicle and the sternum and then goes up and attaches on the mastoid process of the skull right behind the ear. If you watch an ab work out video, these muscles are often sticking out VERY noticeably. That tells me that the neck and abdominals are very closely related and sometimes if you do too much ab work when your abs are not strong enough, you will use your neck to compensate.

The SCM's flex the neck as well as rotates the head to the opposite side. The SCM is a breathing helper as well.

I have found these very important muscles causing so much trouble and even headaches at times! Keep this muscle in mind if you are having pain because it's very possible that it could be a contributor! Have a wonderful, sunny weekend folks!