MUSCLES OF THE NECK AND THE ACTIONS:
FLEXORS: longus colli & capitis, infra hyoids
EXTENSORS: splenius capitis, semispinalis capitis, suboccipitals, trapezius
ROTATORS: splenius capitis, sternocleidomastoid, levator scapula, suboccipitals
LATERAL FLEXORS: scalenes

COMMENTS: The motion of the neck can be divided into rotation (looking side to side), lateral flexion (ear to shoulder), flexion (chin to sternum) and hyperextension (looking up).

INJURY: The most common neck injury is whiplash, which involves the infrahyoid muscles, longis colli and longis capitis, as well as the sternocleidomastoid muscles. Another common neck problem is limited rotation, which involves the levator scapula, the suboccipitals, or the deep neck muscles. Increased muscle tension as a result of prolonged sitting in one position for example work on a computer. Also sub-occipitals which control fine tuning movements of the head especially in response to concentrated use of the eyes or holding the head in a fixed position for extended periods, e.g. while reading or looking at a computer.

IMBALANCE: In The Cervical Neck Region: results in forward head posture. Cervical Muscles that tend to be short and tight: levator scapular, upper trapezius, sternocleomastoid, sub occipitals, cervical extensors, and pectoralis minor. Muscles that tend to be weak and inhibited: deep neck flexors, scalenes, middle and lower trapezius, rhomboids, and serratus anterior.

IMBALANCE: In The Thoracic Region: results in muscle imbalances. Muscles that tend to be weak and inhibited: are the middle and lower trapezius, rhomboids, serratus anterior, deep neck flexors, and scalenes. Muscles that tend to be short and tight and easily facilitated: are upper trapezius, levator scapular, thoracic extensors, pectoralis major and minor, the neck extensors and the diaphragm.

ASSESSMENT: Visual postural Assessment. Neck evaluation includes passive range of motion in the various directions, looking for restriction and pain. The use of Biofeedback with computer graphics to help relax the upper trapezius, and to help lower trapezius activation, and scapular stabilization.

Postural assessment findings:
Rounded shoulders- short tight pectoralis minor.
Forward Head-kyphotic thoracic spine, short extensors
Hyperextension of the head - short sub occipital muscles.
Elevated Shoulders- Short Upper Trapezius and Levator Scapular.
Winging Scapular- Weak Serratus Anterior
Increased Cervical lordosis- Short Cervical Extensors, weak Deep Flexors.

Assessment using biofeedback computer aided programming, corrective queuing techniques to correct faulty recruitment patterns.

MASSAGE: Massage is an excellent treatment for the neck muscles in cases of restriction. Whiplash responds well to massage after the initial inflammatory stage is over. In the acute phase, Positional Release is the best therapy. Massage is helpful in reducing tension and tightness in the sub-occipitals muscles.

CORRECTIVE EXERCISE/STRETCHING: To increase the strength, stabilization and function of the lower trapezius, rhomboids, splenius cervicis, splenius capitis, erector spinea.