Levator Scapulae

This course describes the anatomy and integrated function of the skeletal muscle, levator scapulae (a.k.a. levator scapula, levator scap, scapulae muscle, levator muscle, lev scap, LS, etc.). This muscle originates from the transverse processes of the cervical vertebrae 1-4 (neck), inserts into the superior angle of the scapula (shoulder blade), and is innervated by cervical nerves 3 and 4, and the dorsal scapular nerve. This neck and shoulder blade muscle is composed of a near-even proportion of type I and type II muscle fibers with a slight bias toward type I muscle fibers (based on the composition of the similar upper trapezius muscle).

This muscle crosses the scapulothoracic joint (scapula), influencing motion of the sternoclavicular joint and acromioclavicular joint, via the scapula (shoulder blade). The levator scapula is an elevator, anterior tipper, and downward rotator of the scapula. Additionally, this muscle contributes to cervical lateral flexion, upper cervical extension, and cervical ipsilateral rotation. This course also describes the role of the levator scapulae muscles in scapulothoracic arthrokinematics, fascial integration, head posture and postural dysfunction, and subsystem integration.

Sports medicine professionals (personal trainers, fitness instructors, physical therapists, massage therapists, chiropractors, occupational therapists, athletic trainers, etc.) must be aware of the integrated function of the levator scapulae for the detailed analysis of human movement, and the development of sophisticated exercise programs and therapeutic (rehabilitation) interventions. Further, this course is essential knowledge for future courses discussing injury prevention and physical therapy (e.g. levator scapulae pain, shoulder pain, neck pain (chronic pain), poor posture, especially forward head posture, levator scapulae syndrome, shoulder impingement syndrome, referral pain to the shoulder), synergistic function and motor control (e.g. levator scapula and rhomboid muscles, both innervated by the dorsal scapular nerve, contributing to downward rotation of the scapula during motion of the pectoral girdle and upper limb), and levator scapulae specific techniques (e.g. levator scapulae active release, static manual release, levator scapulae stretch, levator scapulae active stretch, levator scapulae manual release (massage), and neuromuscular re-education for enhancing shoulder and shoulder girdle motion). Note, this muscle is commonly addressed during sports massage.

Brookbush Institute’s most recommended techniques for the Levator Scapulae (see videos below):

• Release: Levator Scapulae Release
• Manual Technique: Levator Scapulae Static Manual Release
• Stretch:Levator Scapulae Active Stretch

Caption: The levator scapula muscle

Levator Scapulae - http://classconnection.s3.amazonaws.com/228/flashcards/504228/jpg/heaposmusmhnlevator_20scapulae_20m_1351523887828.jpg