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TheΒ neckΒ is the connector to the head and shoulders, allowing mobility and functionality to stabilize the head from dropping down. The neck is also part of theΒ cervical spine, where many neuron pathways, ligaments, and muscles work with theΒ central nervous systemΒ to provide sensory-motor signals to the brain. The neck muscles also work together with the shoulder and upper back muscles to function for the upper extremities. These are known as the splenius muscles and help support the cervical spine. However, like all muscles in the body, the neck can succumb to traumatic injuries or common factors that can cause the neck muscles to be overused, injured, and strained to cause the nerves to send out disruptive signals to the brain and issues to develop. Todayβs article looks at the splenius muscles on the neck, how trigger points affect the splenius muscles, and how to manage neck pain associated with trigger points. We refer patients to certified providers who specialize in musculoskeletal treatments to aid individuals suffering from myofascial trigger pain associated with neck pain affecting the splenius muscles. We also guide our patients by referring them to our associated medical providers based on their examination when appropriate. We ensure to find that education is the solution to asking our providers insightful questions. Dr. Jimenez DC observes this information as an educational service only.Β Disclaimer
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Have you been experiencing muscle pain in your neck? What about feeling tightness on the sides of your neck when you move your head from side to side? Or do random headaches seem to pop out of nowhere and affect your day? Most of these symptoms are associated with neck pain affecting the splenius muscles and can cause overlapping issues affecting the neck and the upper back. TheΒ splenius musclesΒ are split into two muscle groups: the splenius capitis and the splenius cervicis. Both of the splenius muscles each have a job for neck functionality. The splenius capitis provides rotation and extension to the head, while the splenius cervicis provides rotation and extends to the cervical spine. The splenius capitis fibers are connected with the SCM (sternocleidomastoid) muscles that help move the head. The splenius cervicis encompasses the upper three cervical vertebrae and attach their muscle fibers to scapulae muscles. Even though these two muscles offer different functions, they could potentially be involved in injuries that can cause neck and upper back issues.
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One of the most common complaints many people seem to be impacted is shoulder and neck pain. Various factors can cause an impact on the shoulders and neck due to overusing the splenius muscles connected to the neck and shoulders and developing trigger points associated with the splenius muscles.Β Studies revealΒ that trigger points or myofascial pain can make the splenius muscles hypersensitive and tender along the taut band of the splenius muscles. To that point, the splenius muscles become palpable and produce localized pain to other structures along the neck, shoulders, and head. Trigger points are a bit complex to diagnose because they mimic other chronic issues that affect the body and potentially involve many common symptoms that could happen daily.Β Studies revealΒ that common symptoms like headaches are associated with trigger points along the head, neck, and shoulder muscles. Since trigger points are challenging to diagnose, they can make the taut band of the musculoskeletal fibers and become either active or latent when pressure is on the affected area. To that point, causes tension occurs in the bodyβs head, neck, and shoulders. Fortunately, various ways to manage trigger point pain are associated with neck pain along the splenius muscles.
Have you been dealing with random headaches that randomly occur throughout the day? What about experiencing muscle stiffness and tenderness located on your neck and shoulders? Or have you been experiencing poor sleep throughout the night? Most of these symptoms are associated with trigger point pain associated with neck pain along the splenius muscles. The video above explains how trigger points affect the splenius muscles and some of the causes that lead to the development of trigger point pain along the splenius muscles. Many people dealing with trigger points associated with neck pain often explain to their doctors that they have been feeling muscle stiffness along their neck, causing limited mobility.Β Studies revealΒ that active myofascial trigger points along the neck and shoulder muscles elicited referred pain to contribute to symptoms of pain intensity, disability, and poor sleep quality to mechanical neck pain. To that point, many individuals try to incorporate various treatments to alleviate the symptoms and manage neck pain associated with trigger points.
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Many people dealing with neck pain associated with trigger points along the splenius muscles often donβt realize that some causes affect how the muscles are used.Β Ordinary factorsΒ like poor posture, looking down at the phones, or leaning closer to any screens can cause strain on the splenius muscles. In contrast, traumatic factors like whiplash or auto accidents can inflict pain on the muscle fibers. Various ways to manage neck pain associated with trigger points are non-invasive unless the pain is severe. When a person goes to their primary doctor for a routine check-up, they describe the symptoms of pain affecting their bodies while the doctor examines them. Once the issue is diagnosed, many doctors will refer their patients to a pain specialist specializing in the matter. So say if a person is dealing with neck pain associated with trigger point pain along their splenius muscles that is causing them headaches, would be referred to a pain specialist like a chiropractor to relieve myofascial trigger pain along the splenius muscles that are suffering from spinal subluxation in the musculoskeletal system. Spinal adjustments allow the stiff muscles to become loose and even break up the adhesion of the trigger points on the muscle. Incorporating chiropractic care to treat neck pain associated with trigger points can bring back functionality to the body.
The neck allows the head to be mobile and help keeps it stable. As part of the cervical spine, the neck has many neuron pathways, ligaments, and muscles that work with the central nervous system to provide sensory-motor function. The muscles that provide functionality to the shoulders, neck, and upper back are called the splenius muscles. The splenius muscles consist of two groups: the capitis and cervicis, which have different jobs for neck functionality. However, like any muscle in the body may potentially be impacted by various issues that can cause neck and upper back issues. Common and traumatic issues can lead to the development of myofascial trigger pain along the neck muscles. To that point causes neck pain and disability to the neck. When this happens, various treatments are available to manage neck pain associated with myofascial pain and alleviate the symptoms, causing relief to the neck.
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Chatchawan, Uraiwan, et al. βCharacteristics and Distributions of Myofascial Trigger Points in Individuals with Chronic Tension-Type Headaches.β Journal of Physical Therapy Science, The Society of Physical Therapy Science, Apr. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6451952/.
Henson, Brandi, et al. βAnatomy, Back, Muscles β StatPearls β NCBI Bookshelf.β In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 10 Aug. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537074/.
MuΓ±oz-MuΓ±oz , Sonsoles, et al. βMyofascial Trigger Points, Pain, Disability, and Sleep Quality in Individuals with Mechanical Neck Pain.β Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Oct. 2012, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23158466/.
Ribeiro, Daniel Cury, et al. βThe Prevalence of Myofascial Trigger Points in Neck and Shoulder-Related Disorders: A Systematic Review of the Literature.β BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, BioMed Central, 25 July 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6060458/.
Professional Scope of Practice *
The information herein on this entire blog site is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified healthcare professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.
Blog Information & Scope Discussions
Our information scope is limited to Chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somatovisceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.
We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.*
Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research studies or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.
We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how they may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to discuss the subject matter above further, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, or contact us at 915-850-0900.
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Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN*, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*
email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com
Licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) in Texas & New Mexico*
Texas DC License # TX5807, New Mexico DC License # NM-DC2182
Licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN*) in Florida
Florida License RN License # RN9617241 (Control No. 3558029)
Compact Status: Multi-State License: Authorized to Practice in 40 States*
Graduate with Honors: ICHS: MSN-FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner Program)
Degree Granted. Masters in Family Practice MSN Diploma (Cum Laude)
Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, MSN-FNP, RN* CIFM*, IFMCP*, ATN*, CCST
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