Muscles causing mid back pain - Trapezius - Dr Gert Ferreira - Chiropractor in Centurion

Anatomy:

The Trapezius muscle is attached to the base of the skull (External occipital protuberance) and parts of the neck (medial side of superior nuchal line and spinious process of C7-T12). The muscle inserts onto the lateral 1/3 of the clavicle, and the spine of the scapula. The muscle is innervated (Nerve that feeds the muscle) by the spinal accessory nerve.

The muscle is divided into three parts, upper, middle and lower fibers. Actions of this muscle includes, elevation and retraction of the scapula, lateral flexion of head and extension of the head.

Common injuries:

Postural fatigue syndrome - repetitive work/posture sitting at computer, desk or working  with a mouse. Other factors that can injure the muscle include forward rotated shoulders, whiplash, one side sport activities and cradling a phone with one shoulder.

The trapezius muscle can cause a lot of pain for example headaches and mid back pain. The muscle most commonly causes headaches but does cause mid back pain. The headaches that we see in our chiropractic practice is showed above. The 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

For more infomation please feel free to get hold of us:

012 663 1572

082 803 1949

dr.gertferreira@gmail.com