Change the Way You Move

Love this relationship! Scalenes and Levator both attach to transverse processes and are always working to balance each other out like good TVP friends should!

A young Mom came to see me today experiencing pain and weakness in her left shoulder that was believed to be the result of carrying her kids too much.

NKT testing revealed tight and under active anterior and middle scalenes along with an over active levator scapulae on the same side. Because the brachial plexus travels between the anterior and middle scalenes, shoulder weakness and pain can often result when these muscles come under excessive stress. If the scalenes are unable to adequately support the neck it is common for levator scapulae to step in at the expense of the shoulder. Due to this complex relationship symptoms in the neck or arm can vary greatly when this compensation pattern exists.

After releasing the levator scapulae and activating the anterior and middle scalenes, symptoms abated significantly. It is now important for the patient to comply with her home exercise program so this compensation pattern doesn't return the next time she carries her kids.