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Understanding Trigger Points in the Sternocleidomastoid Muscle


Hello, JANMI community! It’s Paulius here, and today I want to talk to you about a muscle that plays a crucial role in our everyday lives—the sternocleidomastoid muscle. This long name might sound a bit intimidating, but don’t worry, I’m here to break it down for you. We’ll explore what happens when trigger points develop in this muscle, the symptoms they can cause, and how JANMI Trigger Point Therapy in London can help you feel better.


What is the Sternocleidomastoid Muscle?


The sternocleidomastoid (or SCM for short) is a muscle located on both sides of your neck. It starts from just behind your ear and runs down to the top of your chest, connecting to your collarbone and breastbone. This muscle is responsible for a lot of important movements, like turning your head from side to side, nodding, and even helping you breathe.


What Are Trigger Points?


Trigger points are small, tight knots that can form in a muscle when it’s overused, strained, or injured. In the case of the SCM muscle, these trigger points can be quite sneaky—they often cause pain and symptoms in areas far from the actual muscle itself. This is known as referred pain.


Symptoms of Trigger Points in the SCM


When trigger points develop in the SCM muscle, they can lead to a variety of symptoms, some of which you might not immediately connect to your neck. These can include:


- Headaches: Trigger points in the SCM are often responsible for tension headaches that can be felt at the back of your head, around your eyes, or even in your temples.

- Dizziness or Vertigo: Because the SCM is involved in balance and head movement, trigger points can sometimes cause feelings of dizziness or unsteadiness.

- Ear Pain or Ringing: The SCM is connected to structures near your ears, so trigger points can lead to symptoms like ear pain, a feeling of fullness in the ear, or even tinnitus (ringing in the ears).

- Neck Pain and Stiffness: Of course, trigger points in the SCM can also cause localized pain and stiffness in the neck, making it difficult to move your head comfortably.


Why Does This Happen?


In our modern lives, we often put a lot of strain on our SCM muscles without even realising it. Activities like looking down at your phone, working at a computer for long hours, or sleeping in an awkward position can all contribute to the development of trigger points. This is yet another example of an evolutionary mismatch—our bodies are designed for movement, but many of us spend our days in static positions that create stress and tension in muscles like the SCM.


How JANMI Trigger Point Therapy in London Can Help


At JANMI in London, we specialise in treating these kinds of issues with Trigger Point Therapy. This is a highly effective technique that involves applying pressure to the trigger points in your muscles to release the tension and improve blood flow. By doing this, we help to reduce the symptoms you’re experiencing, whether they’re headaches, neck pain, or dizziness.


Our Approach at JANMI


When you come to JANMI, you’re not just getting a treatment—you’re entering a space where we care deeply about your well-being and understanding of your own body. We take the time to educate you about what’s going on in your muscles and how we can work together to make it better. Our therapists are passionate about continuous learning and sharing that knowledge with you, so every session is as much about healing as it is about learning.


Conclusion


Trigger points in the sternocleidomastoid muscle can cause a range of symptoms that might seem unrelated at first. But with the right treatment, these symptoms can be managed effectively. At JANMI Trigger Point Therapy in London, we’re here to help you understand your body and keep it functioning at its best. Let’s work together to release those trigger points and get you back to feeling great!


Disclaimer: Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment or exercise, especially if you have an existing medical condition.

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