Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSCM MuscleCausesOther SymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentExercises and StretchesSelf-Care StrategiesWhen to See a Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
SCM Muscle
Causes
Other Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Exercises and Stretches
Self-Care Strategies
When to See a Provider
Thesternocleidomastoid(SCM)is a neck muscle that helps nod and rotate your head in many directions.
Occasionally, repetitive movements, poor posture, stress, or trauma can cause the muscle to become strained or injured. When this occurs, it often leads to pain in your neck, shoulders, or behind the ear. Headaches, dizziness, and arm tingling may also be present.
This article will detail the common causes of sternocleidomastoid pain and how it is typically diagnosed and treated.
Pekic / Getty Images
What Is the Sternocleidomastoid (SCM) Muscle?
The two sternocleidomastoid muscles are located on each side of the neck. These large, two-headed structures originate from the top ofthe breastbone (sternum)and the inner portion of thecollarbone (clavicle). Eventually, the two branches of the muscle converge to attach to the base of the skull just behind the ears.
The SCM muscle has several different functions. These include:
SCM Trigger PointsThe spinal accessory nerve runs under the sternocleidomastoid and innervatesthe upper trapezius muscle. As a result, strain on the STMs can cause trigger points in the upper trap muscles on the sides of the neck.Trigger pointsare highly irritable spots in a band of muscle that produce pain when compressed and can result in referred pain (pain felt elsewhere) and other effects.
SCM Trigger Points
The spinal accessory nerve runs under the sternocleidomastoid and innervatesthe upper trapezius muscle. As a result, strain on the STMs can cause trigger points in the upper trap muscles on the sides of the neck.Trigger pointsare highly irritable spots in a band of muscle that produce pain when compressed and can result in referred pain (pain felt elsewhere) and other effects.
The spinal accessory nerve runs under the sternocleidomastoid and innervatesthe upper trapezius muscle. As a result, strain on the STMs can cause trigger points in the upper trap muscles on the sides of the neck.
Trigger pointsare highly irritable spots in a band of muscle that produce pain when compressed and can result in referred pain (pain felt elsewhere) and other effects.
Visualizing Neck Muscles on a Diagram
Causes of Sternocleidomastoid Pain
While many different factors can cause SCM pain, these are the most common culprits:
Several other medical conditionscan contribute to SCM pain. Cervical spine disorders, likecervical stenosis(narrowing of the spinal canal) orcervical spondylosis(arthritis), frequently cause range-of-motion limitations in the neck. This stiffness, in turn, can lead to overexertion and, eventually, pain in the sternocleidomastoid muscles.
Temporomandibular joint(TMJ) disorder, a condition affecting the jaw joint, can also cause SCM pain. The condition often causes abnormal jaw alignment or limited mouth movement, leading to increased strain on the sternocleidomastoid muscles.
Several common symptoms can indicate that you have a sternocleidomastoid strain, including:
The following symptoms maysuggest a more severe SCM injury:
Seek Medical Attention
How Sternocleidomastoid Pain Is Diagnosed
If your neck pain is the result of a trauma or if any of the more serious symptoms detailed above are present, additional testing may be urgently ordered. Tests could include:
Pinpointing What’s Causing Right-Sided Neck Pain
How Sternocleidomastoid Pain Is Treated
In the large majority of cases, sternocleidomastoid pain is treated with conservative interventions. Early on, avoiding aggravating activities andapplying ice or heatto the area can be helpful. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications, likeAdvil or Motrin (ibuprofen) or Aleve (naproxen), and prescription muscle relaxants may also help provide pain relief.
Physical therapy may be needed for more stubborn SCM pain to help strengthen or stretch the affected neck muscles. Massage therapy may relax spasms or tight muscles.
Some healthcare providers might also recommend chiropractic treatments designed to manipulate the spine or acupuncture to improve your sternocleidomastoid soreness.In very rare cases in which spinal instability or neurological symptoms are present, surgery may be needed to address your symptoms.
Gentle Exercises and Stretches for Neck Pain and Stiffness
Gently stretching and building strength in the neck muscles can help alleviate SCM strain. Try these exercises for your neck pain and stiffness:
Upper Trapezius Stretch
This technique targets the upper trapezius muscles that stretch from the neck to the shoulders on both sides of the spine:
Cervical Retraction
This exercise helps increase strength in the deep cervical flexor muscles that support the spine in this area:
Neck Rotation Stretch
This technique helps restore the cervical motion used to rotate or turn the neck:
10 Neck Stretches and Exercises for Pain, Posture, and Better Sleep
Cervical Isometrics
Try this exercise to gently activate your sore neck muscles and relieve tension in the area:
Isometric Variations
Self-Care Strategies for Sternocleidomastoid Pain
Several strategies can be employed to reduce the likelihood of developing sternocleidomastoid pain. Try these self-care tips:
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider
Summary
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Loyola University Medical Education Network.Sternocleidomastoid.Kim SJ, Lee JH.Effects of sternocleidomastoid muscle and suboccipital muscle soft tissue release on muscle hardness and pressure pain of the sternocleidomastoid muscle and upper trapezius muscle in smartphone users with latent trigger points.Medicine. 2018;97(36):e12133. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000012133University of Colorado Health.Neck strain.American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.Cervical and thoracic spine disorders.Silveira A, Gadotti IC, Armijo-Olivo S, Biasotto-Gonzalez DA, Magee D.Jaw dysfunction is associated with neck disability and muscle tenderness in subjects with and without chronic temporomandibular disorders.Biomed Res Int. 2015;2015:512792. doi:10.1155/2015/512792American Academy of Family Physicians.Neck pain: initial management and treatment.Kaiser Permanente.Neck: exercises.Aurora Healthcare.Tips for neck pain prevention.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Loyola University Medical Education Network.Sternocleidomastoid.Kim SJ, Lee JH.Effects of sternocleidomastoid muscle and suboccipital muscle soft tissue release on muscle hardness and pressure pain of the sternocleidomastoid muscle and upper trapezius muscle in smartphone users with latent trigger points.Medicine. 2018;97(36):e12133. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000012133University of Colorado Health.Neck strain.American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.Cervical and thoracic spine disorders.Silveira A, Gadotti IC, Armijo-Olivo S, Biasotto-Gonzalez DA, Magee D.Jaw dysfunction is associated with neck disability and muscle tenderness in subjects with and without chronic temporomandibular disorders.Biomed Res Int. 2015;2015:512792. doi:10.1155/2015/512792American Academy of Family Physicians.Neck pain: initial management and treatment.Kaiser Permanente.Neck: exercises.Aurora Healthcare.Tips for neck pain prevention.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Loyola University Medical Education Network.Sternocleidomastoid.Kim SJ, Lee JH.Effects of sternocleidomastoid muscle and suboccipital muscle soft tissue release on muscle hardness and pressure pain of the sternocleidomastoid muscle and upper trapezius muscle in smartphone users with latent trigger points.Medicine. 2018;97(36):e12133. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000012133University of Colorado Health.Neck strain.American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.Cervical and thoracic spine disorders.Silveira A, Gadotti IC, Armijo-Olivo S, Biasotto-Gonzalez DA, Magee D.Jaw dysfunction is associated with neck disability and muscle tenderness in subjects with and without chronic temporomandibular disorders.Biomed Res Int. 2015;2015:512792. doi:10.1155/2015/512792American Academy of Family Physicians.Neck pain: initial management and treatment.Kaiser Permanente.Neck: exercises.Aurora Healthcare.Tips for neck pain prevention.
Loyola University Medical Education Network.Sternocleidomastoid.
Kim SJ, Lee JH.Effects of sternocleidomastoid muscle and suboccipital muscle soft tissue release on muscle hardness and pressure pain of the sternocleidomastoid muscle and upper trapezius muscle in smartphone users with latent trigger points.Medicine. 2018;97(36):e12133. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000012133
University of Colorado Health.Neck strain.
American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.Cervical and thoracic spine disorders.
Silveira A, Gadotti IC, Armijo-Olivo S, Biasotto-Gonzalez DA, Magee D.Jaw dysfunction is associated with neck disability and muscle tenderness in subjects with and without chronic temporomandibular disorders.Biomed Res Int. 2015;2015:512792. doi:10.1155/2015/512792
American Academy of Family Physicians.Neck pain: initial management and treatment.
Kaiser Permanente.Neck: exercises.
Aurora Healthcare.Tips for neck pain prevention.
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