Muscles that Move the Head

Sternohyoid, Sternocleidomastoid, Splenius Capitis, and Levator Scapulae

SternohyoidOrigin: Manubrium, costal cartilage 1

Insertion: Hyoid

Action: Involved in swallowing and speaking by pulling down the hyoid bone.

Stretching and Strengthening

What do you think??

Sternocleidomastoid Origin: Manubrium, anterior

superior surface of medial clavicle

Insertion: Mastoid process Action: Extension of the head,

felxion of the cervical spine. Right side: Rotation to the left and lateral flexion to the right. Left Side: Rotation to the right and lateral flexion to the left

Basically, neck flexion and rotation of the head and neck.

Stretching Strengthening

Lower left shoulder; turn head 45° to left, place right hand fingertips on forehead

Exhale; gently drop head back toward the opposite side (right)

Assist stretch with right hand for 2 seconds

Strengthening

Splenius Capitis Origin: Lover half of ligamentum

nuchae and spinous process of the 7th cervical and upper 3 or 4 thoracic vertebrae

Insertion: Mastoid process and occipital bone

Action: Extension of the head. Right side: rotation and lateral flexion to the rightLeft Side: rotation and lateral flexion to the left

Stretching and Strengthening

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20IKKKmgO6Q

Stretching: The entire muscle can be stretched with maximal flexion of the head and cervical spine.

The right side can be stretched through combined movement of left rotation, left lateral flexion, and flexion. And vice versa for the left side.

Levator ScapulaeOrigin: Transverse processes of the upper four cervical vertebrae

Insertion: Medial border of the scapula above the base of the scapular spine

Action: Elevates the medial margin of the scapula

Strengthening and Stretching

Rotate head 45 degrees to opposite side and flex the cervical spine while maintaining the scapula in a relaxed depressed position.

Shoulder exercises

Injuries:Sternohyoid Overuse injuries, tears, and strains Whiplash

Injuries:Sternocleidomastoid

When the SCM is strained or shortened the muscle itself rarely hurts, no matter how stiff or tight it may be. Problems are referred elsewhere, to head and neck, ears, eyes, nose and throat.

These may be mistakenly diagnosed as migraine, sinus headache, atypical facial neuralgia, trigeminal neuralgia, arthritis of the sternoclavicular joint, ataxia, multiple sclerosis (MS), brain lesions, tumors, and other frightening conditions.

Injuries:Splenius Capitis

The Splenius capitis is almost always injured in auto accidents, regardless of the direction of the blow. They are commonly injured in "head rolling" movements in exercise classes, always strained by head forward position and by computer use or other reasons for sitting with head held forward and turned to the side. Splenius capitis typically causes a pain at the top lateral side of head

Injuries:Levator Scapulae

Common site for tightness, tenderness, and discomfort secondary to chronic tension and from carrying items with straps over the shoulders.