The muscles connect the base of the skull to the upper back.
The pain is felt in the neck and head.
Some of the strategies to relieve pain includestretchingand dry needling.
Photo composite by Lecia Landis for Verywell Health / Getty Images
These muscles provide neck extension and rotation of the head and neck from side to side.
The semispinalis capitis muscles also keep the head balanced on the neck.
With this muscle connecting to the scalp, the symptoms vary more than typical neck pain.
Symptoms of semispinalis capitis pain include:
What Causes Semispinalis Capitis Tension?
Injuries that can cause pain in this area are car accidents,blunt trauma, and falls.
Other causes of semispinalis capitis tension arepoor postureand overuse injuries.
How to Relieve Semispinalis Capitis Pain
Semispinalis capitis pain should be evaluated by a healthcare provider.
Their evaluation will determine which treatments are best.
Below are treatments that may be used.
Stretches
Gentlestretchingcan help relieve neck pain brought on by tension or strain.
A forwardneck flexionstretches the back of the neck.
To do this:
Posture Correction
Correct postureaffects overall health and can cause neck and back pain.
Modern-day lifestyles frequently involve prolonged sitting.
This can lead to people bringing their head and neck out of proper posture.
The procedure involves inserting a thin needle into the muscle and leaving it for 10 to 30 minutes.
The needles do not inject any medications or substances (hence the term dry needling).
A small study in 2022 found that dry needling relieved semispinalis capitis pain.
It also improved daily living activities and increased physical therapy outcomes.
Self-Care and Finding Pain Relief At Home
Neck pain can make many activities more difficult.
Performing self-care at home can be one way to help minimize the pain and find faster relief.
The best place to start is with a primary care provider.
They can give an evaluation to determine where to refer you.
From there, treatment can be provided by aphysical therapistorchiropractor.
People will often be given exercises and stretches to be done at home in addition to their clinic visits.
Summary
The semispinalis capitis muscles control side-to-side and up-and-down movements of the head.
Injury or overuse can cause pain that is felt in the head or neck.
Treatment can include stretching, correcting posture, and using home therapies like heat and ice.
Rehab My Patient.Semispinalis capitis.
MyHealth.Alberta.ca.Neck strain or sprain: rehab exercises.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration.Good working positions.
2022;10(02).
