Trapezius: The overloading muscle
The trapezius is a large superficial muscle that covers your entire upper back along with the rhomboids, scaleni, sternocleidomastoid, levator scapulae, and platysma from the neck and the latissimus dorsi, supra- and infraspinatus, and subscapularis in the upper back.
The trapezius originates from the external occipital protuberance of the occipital bone, then it traverses to the lower thoracic vertebrae and then laterally to the spine of the scapula. It has upper, middle, and lower groups of fibers.
As a practicing physiotherapist, it is a very important muscle to work on during the treatment because it is the antigravity muscle constantly working and under tension.
Unless the person is lying on a bed, the muscle never rests. It is quite a strong muscle, enough to carry the upper body weight and transmit it to the lower extremities. The only main thing is its overuse causes its stiffness and quite enough rigidness to limit its ranges at the neck as well as the shoulders, and in the longer term, it alters breathing as well.
Over time the muscle develops myofascial trigger points, which are 60% of the cause for pain. The second image shows its prime locations.
It is very important to release and break the trigger points and relax the muscle. At times it’s so rock hard that even instruments or tools don’t work to release it.
If you don’t break it, even the modalities are not so effective. Here the work of manual therapy and dry needling comes into the picture, and the physiotherapy helps to improve and maintain posture and strength.
Hence, physiotherapy is not only modalities, but it also has manual therapy that works wonders. Also, some advice: take care of your trapezius muscle; do not overuse or overload it. Try to do exercises to maintain strength and proper posture.
What do you think about the trapezius muscle, a dump bag where you dump all the load by continuous straining and overworking, or a huge supporter and motivator that works continuously & tirelessly to support your work lifestyle? What are your thoughts about it?
MBH/AB