6/9/2023 0 Comments Upper trap stretchThese symptoms are often called a brachial plexus injury, Erb’s palsy, or brachial radiculitis. The result is pain, numbness, tingling, and burning sensations down the arm, and even arm weakness if the nerve compression continues. This can compress the brachial plexus, a bundle of nerves that exits the cervical spine levels and extend to the muscles of the arm. When the upper trap is excessively tight, the levator and scalene tend to be tight as well, pulling the posterior first rib into an elevated position. When the upper trap is excessively tight, it frequently sends trigger points to the same side eye, which feels like a piercing pain going directly through your eye. How do you know if this is the source of your symptoms? First, find a physical therapist who can diagnose the problem. Subtle symptoms will start to occur- neck stiffness with prolonged computer work, headaches when driving, or shooting pain down the arm when holding an infant are all signs of an overused upper trap. Whether it’s reaching for a dish in an overhead cupboard, painting a ceiling, driving with your arm leaning on the door, or playing baseball in your summer rec league, you may feel like you’re doing just fine but silently, overuse of the upper trap muscle results in increasing muscle tightness, even at rest. However, if you have weak rotator cuff muscles such as the supraspinatus muscle along with weak scapular stabilizing muscles (rhomboid, middle trap, and lower trap), every time you raise your arm, whether overhead or out to the side, above 90 degrees or below, the upper trap is happy to assist in your movement to allow you to do what you need to do. When the upper trap functions as it should, all is good with the neck and shoulder complex. The muscle normally functions to upwardly rotate the shoulder blade to help you raise your arm above 90 degrees. The upper trap extends from ligaments near the first 6 cervical vertebrae to the top of your shoulder. All of these issues and more are caused by probably the most common compensation of all, upper trapezius.
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