Levator is from the Latinlevaremeaning “to raise.”
The levator scap influences both neck motion and upper back posture.
It is involved in several movements of the scapula.
Andrey Popov
What Is the Levator Scapulae Muscle?
There are two scapula bones, one on either side of the spine.
It also rotates the scapula downward.
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This is the downward rotation movement mentioned above.
These shoulder blade movements are generally part of the larger movements of flexion and abduction of the shoulder joint.
During flexion and/or abduction, the levator scap is actively contracting.
Levator scapulae muscle contraction can also move the neck.
It participates in side bending, which is called lateral flexion, and rotation, or twisting.
What Does the Levator Scapulae Muscle Do?
Poorly designed work furniture may contribute to chronic muscle tension and spasm, plus muscle weakness.
But the shoulder blade is, by nature, an extremely movable bone.
Keeping it steady to make it maintain appropriate neck posture is no easy feat.
Instead, it may become overstretched.
When muscles become overstretched, they often become taut as a way of offering stability.
This may feel like muscle tension due to muscle shortening but, it’s different.
Kyphosis is often a pre-cursor to forward head posture, a condition mentioned above.
Physical therapy may help you reduce the degree of stress that is placed on the levator.
They elevate the shoulder blades, tilt the head, and work with other muscles to stabilize the spine.
Chotai PN, Loukas M, Tubbs RS.Unusual origin of the levator scapulae muscle from mastoid process.
J Phys Ther Sci.
2018;30(3):411-412. doi:10.1589/jpts.30.411
