The Neck - Front

I wanted to write about the muscles of the neck this month and the common complaints that I see in the clinic. I will break down the neck into four parts 

1.   The upper rear neck, base of skull to C2 

2.   The lower rear neck C3-C7 

3.   The front 

4.   The sides 

The front (anterior) neck 

The main problems that you will notice are; 

Persistent neck pain, headaches, jaw discomfort, or dizziness, swallowing difficulties (dysphagia), neck pain, or muscle spasms,and hoarseness of voice or voice fatigue.

The main muscles are divided into three parts:

• The superficial muscles which include the platysma and sternocleidomastoid.

• The suprahyoid muscles are found superior to the hyoid bone, and include the digastric, mylohyoid, geniohyoid and stylohyoid.

• The infrahyoid muscles are found inferior to the hyoid bone and consist of the sternohyoid, omohyoid, sternothyroid and thyrohyoid.

The superficial muscles of platysma helps with fascial expressions, opening of the mouth and thought to help stopping the compression of the jugular during heavy exercise. The sternocleidomastoid muscle has two head attachments to the sternum and clavicle and the mastoid process of the temporal bone. This muscle rotates the head to the opposite side, tilts the head toward the same side (lateral flexion), and flexes the neck (brings the head forward). Bilaterally, it acts as an accessory muscle of breathing and aids in stabilizing the cervical spine. The main issues are tech neck, overuse and strain, stress (jaw clenching and breathing issues), poor sleep positions, whiplash, asthma and wry neck.

The suprahyoid muscles helps open mouth and lifts the hyoid bone, they can retract the hyoid posteriorly and anteriorly, the mylohyoid forms the floor of the mouth. Problems are jaw tightness, swallowing issues, and neck pain usually from overload, chronic tension, infections and inflammation.

The infrahyoid muscles connect it to the larynx, sternum and scapula. The main function is positioning of the hyoid bone and movement of the thyroid cartilage of the larynx during speech, swallowing and chewing (think blocking the airway when swallowing) 

What can we do to help?

Massage to the neck and upper chest, myofascial release to the neck, hyoid and upper chest. Myofascial internal mouth release especially to the tongue root. Acupuncture to help alleviate stress and aid in relaxation.

What can you do?

Gentle neck extension stretches, gently extend your neck backwards while keeping your mouth closed (you should feel this stretch in front of your throat). Side tilt stretches and rotation and tilt do this by turning your head away from the tight side, tilt it slightly backward, and look up to feel a stretch along the front/side of the neck. 

Front neck stretches that feel great are hanging head stretch, to perform this you sit tall, tilt your head back, and push your lower lip over your upper lip to feel a stretch from your chin to your chest. Hold for several seconds and repeat 10 times. Also you can place hands over the collarbone to gently anchor the skin down, then slowly tilt your chin up, side-to-side, to feel the muscle release

Correct forward head posture chin tuck.

Opening the jaw exercises, sit up straight and open your mouth as wide as possible, holding for 5 breaths, repeated 10 times.

You can strengthen these muscles by lying on your back, lift your head to look at your toes, holding this position for 10 seconds, also high speed repetitive jaw opening.