Chopsticks: Catching the Posterior Scalene in Action

That’s a lot of old-fashioned chronic inflammation with the posterior scalene stretched far from its anatomical role. Those poor guys are stretched over the precipice and desperately pulling back. Adhesed, unloved, overworked and so far under the trapezius that even a deep tissue massage barely touches it, the posterior scalenes are crying for help.

Massaging many people with neck pain, I have developed a deep respect for the nefarious actions of overstretched posterior scalenes.

Most neck pain folks looking for massage come in with a history of working on computers, lots of driving and an old accident – usually whiplash or cervical strain.

Getting my teddy bear paws in the posterior scalene zone is a tough goal to achieve. First, the trapezuis acts like a prison. Going through from the back of the neck just plain hurts.

With the client supine, I like to flex the neck to the side slightly and slip soft fingers along the posterior scalene. Then I gently shorten the scalene until it can sense that a different way of life is possible.  With the scalene approximated for about 30 seconds, I add a light, slow cross-fiber crushing with soft fingers. (I said soft again didn’t I? Ever feel a hard touch on a scalene?)

Anyhow, if there is a hope of redemption here, the scalene should soften, going from concrete to something more like jerky.

I try to get clients to start chin retractions, pushing the chin back while keeping the head level. I find they can do it best on the table, against a wall or even better against the car seat headrest.

Three gentle (that pesky word again) chin retractions of above 5 seconds each, with a five-second relax in between. That should put the head closer to the anatomical position and take the posterior scalene off precipice duty.

It isn’t an easy path, but well worth it to get the neck feeling better. I then suggest the client stop playing piano with their nose.