Thesternocleidomastoid(SCM)is a neck muscle that helps nod and rotate your head in many directions.
When this occurs, it often leads to pain in your neck, shoulders, or behind the ear.
Headaches, dizziness, and arm tingling may also be present.
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This article will detail the common causes of sternocleidomastoid pain and how it is typically diagnosed and treated.
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What Is the Sternocleidomastoid (SCM) Muscle?
The two sternocleidomastoid muscles are located on each side of the neck.
The SCM muscle has several different functions.
This stiffness, in turn, can lead to overexertion and, eventually, pain in the sternocleidomastoid muscles.
Temporomandibular joint(TMJ) disorder, a condition affecting the jaw joint, can also cause SCM pain.
Questions are also commonly asked about the pain’s origins and other symptoms.
Early on, avoiding aggravating activities andapplying ice or heatto the area can be helpful.
Physical therapy may be needed for more stubborn SCM pain to help strengthen or stretch the affected neck muscles.
Massage therapy may relax spasms or tight muscles.
That said, persistent or worsening neck soreness should be reported to your healthcare provider.
Early diagnosis and management by a healthcare provider is the best way to alleviate your symptoms promptly.
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