Massage Tutorial: Sternocleidomastoid (SCM) myofascial release techniques

[@kieshabougere3557]

you are such a great teacher, keep up the good work.

[@InqSheen]

Thank you so much. I have been trying to grab & massage my SCM for the longest time & was never able to to so so until I found your video. I am now able to grab my SCM & it's my first time watching your instructions in this video. You are so skillful & knowledgeable. Thank you so very much.

[@bettyspyler3864]

Great tutorial, thank you. I can now gently, confidently work on my client's chronic SCM pain. Side note- how sweet the communication, seen through both of your expressions, is at the very end of video.

[@youtubeme1114]

This guy is amazing! How is he so knowledgeable?!? I've never seen anything like it in my life. : )

[@karyzma99]

I wonder if he attended Florida school of Massage. It’s the school I went to and I see alot of the education I got there in his work.

[@UniqueMasterpiece927]

I have used these techniques and they are great! Thank you for making and sharing this video.

[@misswhit25]

I have always been so nervous to do deeper work on the anterior neck! I am super excited to try this technique on my next massage!

[@MassageSloth]

whitney hall Right on! I'd love to hear how it goes.

[@curtis3298]

Where about do you do massages?

[@niane83]

I love the way you teach, its very clear and detailed. Im learning new techniques and keep picking on your brain for them :)

[@setapartforHim]

one of my favorite muscles to work with! i really like how you included the fascia that continues up into the skull. a lot of therapist dont know that.

[@oliviacasey4643]

Thank you for this!! I have been having severe neck pain for about 6 months, my neck was extremely tight in this area. I was initially terrified to massage it because i think I was pinching my carotid artery. I would lie my neck on a foam roller to release tightness and it hurt really bad! I finally got an appt. with a physical therapist for the first time today who told me it was the SCM muscle that was causing problems. I am hoping to find a therapist in the SF bay area who knows this technique like you!! been to a massage therapist and told them I wanted the front of my neck done but they entirely avoided it :(

[@joycampbell784]

Really appreciate the videos, it's been a little frustrating to go from spa environment to a hospital setting, but your videos are really helping me be effective in helping people in pain.

[@BabyRai-n6p]

Nice massage and amazing treatment 👍👍👍

[@helenasplace]

Great job! This is the muscle I have the most problem with. So this was very helpful. Thank you!

[@cruzgutierrez4602]

Thanks for teaching us more about this muscle

[@cristinatyler967]

thank you! needed new tech to decrease my partner's knots in the area. df will try this and keep you updated

[@deibariharris9132]

did it work

[@beautiful1gg]

Im trying this soon...thanks guy!!!!!

[@AstralApple]

16:05 he reaches the mastoid process. This cured me of 20 years of life ruining neck pain due to an imbalance located at the Rolfer gravity line station the mastoid process. Also loosening up the entire hamstring muscle group, strengthening the tibialis muscles by doing the suicide exercise helped relax my calves which in turn allowed my glutes and its antagonist the psoas to relax. Also the back fascia arm line paths go up the back of the neck so healthy tricep muscles and elbows was key to fixing my cervical spine pain. Tending to the cervical spine can cure chronic fatigue syndrome.

[@logicalperson]

So glad I found this site!

[@MessiahMews]

Sending this to my husband, as I have a problem with torticollis (unable to turn to the right).

[@MassageSloth]

Sounds like a good area to investigate, just ask him to work slowly and to make sure you're comfortable. You may also want to check out the levator scapulae muscle: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4LPgah9f8mgi5Y Best of luck!

[@terrisnyder3064]

Where are you located? You seem so knowledgeable. Your patients are very fortunate to have you.

[@geofffisher9589]

Another great video, thanks massage sloth 🙂

[@mikeschmitz3490]

Enlightenment! Game changer!

[@rahulguptaftii]

Thanks for this Video. It helped me in many-many ways. LOVE

[@strangerthings88]

I love your name! Great info ❤

[@alekzandradymez]

Great video! Can't wait to try this.

[@stephanielemaire1366]

Do you ever do workshops? I would love to have classes with you. Louisiana isn’t too far for a group to take a trip to Florida.

[@julev87]

My PT thinks I may have this. Ive been to neuros, Ents, gone for Mri's etc, etc... Ive had "vertigo" for 30 years (on and off) been told I had menieres and then told bppv. I've been dizzy (not always room spinning) but always off balance, have ear pain, and any movement I see makes me dizzy.. I hope this is what I have. I'm running out of docs to go see.

[@av8eire]

julev87 I did the same thing. Went to all those docs and then found out on my own that I had a lot of trigger points in my SCM, clavicular branch. I followed the protocol as outlined in the book, "Myofascial Disfunction, upper body" by Travell and Simon. Under the SCM section, it described my symptoms perfectly. A disagreeable motion, primarily when rotating my head side to side or looking quickly to the side. Couple of weeks of PT and weekly massage and it's all gone. Good luck. Message me if you want any more info.

[@julev87]

+Rob McCall. Sorry I don't know why I'm just seeing your reply now. Anyway, I am still going to my PT they think it is in my trapezius muscles now. it's going on three months it's driving me crazy it's not letting up. I'm doing stretches and finding triggerpoints in my neck that aggravate the vertigo. In the beginning it was more room spinning, now it's like I'm walking on a boat. I guess that's a good way to describe it. It's still in my eye movement too. Also, feels like the eye gets strained by too much movement (feels weird) and facial nerve/muscle gets tight. (All on right Side) .. Like I said I've had vertigo all my life but it would only last about two weeks and then it would stop but it's not stopping this time it's different. Will this ever go away? ? Any suggestions? My life has been on hold.

[@julev87]

Let me add one more thing… I believe I did this to myself, I was wearing a waist cincher/corset. or sat on May 14 and I had it on for eight hours it's one of those things that supposedly slims your waist...well when I took it off I felt a little lightheaded but that was it. The next morning is when I woke up with room spinning vertigo. I think and the PT thinks I was probly strictly breathing from my upper part of body and really constricted my traps and scm. I'm so mad at myself.

[@julev87]

***** Ok Thanks, Rob. I'll read up on it. Thanks, again.

[@julev87]

***** Sorry, I have another question. My right eye gets kind of strained (actually feels like its crossing sometimes) along with right facial tightness and a pulling sensation up by cheekbone and right ear pain. and this all causes more dizziness, Can these be symptoms of this too?

[@Anzhi7]

Hi Ian. Can you make a video on sprained ankle and sprained spine?

[@thetattooedguy1413]

I would like to ask a question! I was diagnosed with Occipital Neuralgia and have quite a bit of pain from it. They did a surgery and cut my GON / LON and they tucked the nerves into my muscles. I can feel my muscles in the back of my head TIGHTEN and then that’s when my headaches start and I can’t get them to ease up for anything. Would this help ? Or do you know any stretches that would help? Thank you

[@Q-Bits8]

I'm afraid to damage or squuze the carotid artery...

[@capresti3537]

Aren't there arteries in this area is it dangerous to massage it?

[@MassageSloth]

Yep, the medial border of SCM is right where you can palpate the carotid artery. If you feel a pulse, you are pressing posteriorly toward the spine, and you could potentially impinge upon the carotid. Instead of using your thumb to plunge posteriorly, instead grab skin and drag it laterally. By simultaneously dragging the lateral skin medially, you can draw SCM up into your grasp without interacting with the deeper structures at all.

[@Tezzysgirl]

I have debilitating pain with my Mastoid I also get swelling and excruciating pain, I can't lay down or turn my head Drs are telling me there's nothing wrong with me. I believe it has all started from my Scapular, will this method help? I'm desperate

[@MassageSloth]

Hey Keiran, sorry for the delay in getting back to you. Work with the SCM might help with your mastoid pain. That said, if I had a client with persistent pain that doctors have been dismissing, I would encourage them to see a physical therapist who specializes in neck pain. If that's not possible, or in addition to that, I'd also want them implementing a holistic regimen of movement for their neck, shoulders, and back, which might take the form of a yoga practice, or a movement practice called Feldenkrais. Basically, keep trying to find a doc who will take your pain seriously, pursue physical therapy, and find ways to move that ease your pain (which might include pain-free massage!). Best of luck, and I'm sorry that you're hurting!

[@banjopaulable]

Love it! Thank you!

[@theoneandonlyhere]

Hi I'm from Holland. Thank you for sharing this video. Is it possible that I have vision problems (pressure on my eyes), because of my SCM issue? And sometimes I have pain between my eyebrows.

[@AdamDT]

such a helpful video, thank you!

[@tauqeerasif6534]

I have been facing dizziness and un balancing while drawing on the highway, i was searching on the internet regarding this issue and found some one had mentioned sternocleidomastoid muscle massage. Do you think dizziness can be cured by this therapy?

[@Zizou_Nederland]

How are you about dizzy good ?

[@nullvoid666]

Touching that neck muscle makes me very uncomfortable i am afraid to massage it.. any other stretches without touching it?

[@MassageSloth]

If you don't feel comfortable grasping it, then the smoothing stroke I do afterward might still work for you. Just work within their comfort zone, think "pulling skin" rather than pressing down toward the neck, and go slowly. As for stretching, There are ways of turning and tilting the head that work, but I find that anything that stretches SCM enough to be felt can put the neck in a compromised position. It's a pretty mobile muscle by its nature.

[@msbt3]

Once again, awesome work! I've learned so much from you. Question, do you do any injury specific work? I can't remember. Like strains and sprains, tears, whiplash, shin splints, etc. LOL! I'm being greedy.

[@MassageSloth]

msbt3 I love the ideas! Don't worry about being greedy, some weeks I need the inspiration :) Shin splints video is coming soon, and I definitely need to do whiplash!

[@msbt3]

Yes! I'll be on the lookout. You rock!

[@04Ammy04]

Massage Sloth very useful!! Love your videos !

[@allisoncore9470]

This is a very helpful video! I tend to avoid the SCM during treatment or just perform light techniques. This is a great technique for grasping the SCM as it can be quite uncomfortable for the client.. especially if they have never had it worked on or if you are a new therapist to them. Does anyone have any other suggestions for SCM treatment? Any suggestions on ways to make you patient comfortable and secure while you work on it?

[@LadyCaramelle2012]

I also found this video really helpful. As someone who feels uncomfortable with receiving SCM work, it has made me hesitant to treat it on my clients in fear of causing them discomfort. I feel much more equipped to tackle it now with these great tips.

[@allisoncore9470]

Developing a solid therapeutic relationship prior to SCM work may help them feel more at ease during SCM work. Hopefully once they feel the outcome of this work they will be more accepting in future treatments

[@MsSquiddy11]

I also find treating the SCM with techniques like GTO and passive stretch can be helpful. That way, you don't need to press down on the anterior neck quite so much, which might make nervous clients feel more at ease. And yes, I think your point about having a positive therapeutic relationship goes a long way as well.

[@allisoncore9470]

Great! These tips have been helpful. Its nice to see these discussions between therapists.

[@camia2444]

Thanks so much for this info.

[@Steve-yv9ke]

I wish you were local! Any suggestions on the best way to find a good myofascial therapist in St Louis? I've tried a couple but no one can help me with my issues.

[@rodj5375]

Hello, may be it's a stupid question :) there is no risk to damage the carotid artery with this technique ?

[@MassageSloth]

SeBa Not a stupid question! The carotid tracks closely with the cartilage of the larynx. As long as you're plucking the SCM away from the cartilage just medial/deep to it, you're fine. You may feel a slight pulse along the medial aspect of SCM, but no more powerful than if you were to purposely palpate that person's carotid to get their heart rate. Basically, don't purposely attack the carotid artery, and that robust blood vessel will be just fine. Thanks for the question!

[@rodj5375]

Massage Sloth Thank you for the answer, however i will feel a strange sensation and know that i'm wrong if i press the carotid in my hand. Can i go as deep as i can to have all the SCM in my hand ?

[@MassageSloth]

SeBa Hmm, I'm not sure I understand the question. If you feel an unpleasant sensation when working on the SCM that seems to be related to the carotid, it is possible to gently coax the SCM away from the anterior neck and apply some contact while avoiding the artery entirely (you won't feel a pulse at all). Try rotating the head toward the same-side SCM to make it slightly taut. If you still can't make contact without unpleasant sensation, discontinue until you can receive some hands-on training. Best of luck!

[@portalfreak7628]

5:16 "... And rail means rail!"

[@johnbarrett2205]

Hi Ian, I have a question. There is a chance you can suffer from shortness of breath when you bent your head forward or when you turn it to left or right , thanks to the scalene or SCM muscles spams? Thanks and have a great day!

[@Oxizee]

Any medication to support the pain or make pain less?

[@cassandracalder9439]

Cool!

[@MassageSloth]

Cassy Calder Finally, someone properly enthused by SCM work! :)

[@marylanddelawarestateassem3981]

u use creams/ oils ever?

[@MassageSloth]

Rasheedah Bilal-Sanders I do, and it's something that I've forgotten to mention in many of my videos (especially the older ones). I typically use just a little jojoba oil or shea butter.

[@marylanddelawarestateassem3981]

thanks, i like shea too. gives friction plus holds moisture as not to dry out easily

[@c.hartmann8790]

My head turns to the right shoulder and the right scm is thick. Which one do I have to treat? Right or left one?

[@MassageSloth]

For more specific answers about your condition, I do recommend seeing a physical therapist for evaluation. In general, massage can be applied to both sides of an imbalance without concern for which side needs the work; rather than trying to change the body, we're just giving the nervous system information that can help it find a new balance. Working with both sides can be helpful for that goal.

[@c.hartmann8790]

@@MassageSloth thank you for your answer!

[@ImBetterThenEveryone]

works.

[@btf10]

Hi, Great video! Can I have your e-mail to ask a few questions? Regards

[@blissfulbaboon]

E X C E L L E N T Thank you 🌈

[@thelearicist]

Find someone looks at you…

[@Mebzzzzzz1234]

Your thumb is right on her carotid 🙊