Muscle Detective: Splenius Capitis
Although it sounds like an obscure general from the Roman Empire, the splenius capitis is actually a neck and head muscle. You have a splenius capitis (SC) on each side of the neck attaching along the vertebrae of the upper back at one end and on the other end attaching to the skull at the mastoid process (just behind your ear).
Contracting the SC on one side will rotate and/or laterally flex (bring ear to shoulder) your neck on that same side. Looking up (extension) requires contraction of both SC simultaneously.
As a neck muscle the splenius capitis is susceptible to injuries such as whiplash. Trauma involving the neck or head can allow trigger points to develop in this muscle. Over or misuse of the muscle (especially related to posture) can also set the stage for trigger points.
Trigger points in the splenius capitis generally refer pain to the top of the head. Headaches of this nature can be relieved if trigger points are causing them and can be deactivated.
Tags: Muscle Detective, muscles, Pain Relief, Therapeutic Massage, Trigger Points