The human body has over 20 major neck muscles.

The sternocleidomastoid muscle is a large, paired muscle in the neck. It is located in the anterior (front) neck and extends from the mastoid process of the temporal bone to the clavicle. The muscle has two heads – the sternal head, and the cleidomastoid head. For some people, the sternocleidomastoid muscle, or SCM, can be a major source of neck pain or head pain.

Are you wondering if you can get relief from neck pain with sternocleidomastoid muscle exercise techniques?

In this article, we will walk you through everything you need to know about sternocleidomastoid muscle pain.

What Does the SCM Muscle Do?

The sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) is a long, thin muscle that extends from the base of the skull to the collarbone. The SCM is one of the most important muscles in the neck and is responsible for several key functions.

First, the SCM helps to hold the head up and stabilize the neck.

Second, it allows you to move your head from side to side and tilt it up and down.

Third, the SCM helps to protect the neck by absorbing shocks and stress. The SCM muscle also helps you to breathe by expanding and contracting the chest. Finally, the SCM aids in swallowing by moving food from the mouth to the stomach.

As you can see, the SCM muscle plays a vital role in maintaining a healthy neck and spine. without it, we would be unable to perform many of the everyday tasks that we take for granted.

How Is The SCM Muscle Injured?

The SCM muscle is most commonly injured due to repetitive motions or overuse. This type of injury is often seen in athletes who participate in throwing sports, such as baseball or football.

The SCM muscle can also be strained due to poor posture or incorrect form while lifting weights. In some cases, the muscle may be bruised or torn during a fall or car accident.

Symptoms of an SCM muscle injury include pain and tenderness in the neck and shoulder, difficulty moving the head, and numbness or tingling in the arm.

If you suspect that you have injured your SCM muscle, it is important to seek medical attention right away. Treatment for an SCM muscle injury typically involves rest, ice, and physical therapy. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary.

Can the SCM Muscle Cause Neck Pain or Head Pain?

The short answer is that it is possible for the SCM muscle to cause neck pain or head pain. However, it is important to keep in mind that there are many other muscles and tissues in the neck and head region that can also contribute to pain in these areas.

In addition, there are a number of other factors that can contribute to neck and head pain, such as stress, posture, and injury.

As a result, it is often difficult to pinpoint the exact source of pain in these areas. If you are experiencing neck or head pain, it is important to see a qualified healthcare provider for an assessment. They will be able to help you determine the cause of your pain and develop a treatment plan that is specific to your needs.

What Are Some Home Options for SCM Muscle Pain?

SCM muscle pain can be a real drag. Luckily, there are a few exercises you can do to help ease the pain.

First, try gently massaging the affected area. This will help to loosen up the muscles and increase blood flow.

Then, try doing some gentle stretches. neck rolls and shoulder shrugs are a good place to start.

Finally, try using a heating pad or taking a warm bath. The heat will help to relax the muscles and ease the pain. With a little bit of patience and treatment, your SCM muscle pain will soon be a thing of the past.

What Are Other Common Causes of Neck Pain?

There are many other common causes of neck pain in addition to muscle strain.

One of the most common is poor posture. If you sit or stand in an unnatural position for extended periods of time, it can cause the muscles and ligaments in your neck to weaken and become sore.

Additionally, carrying heavy bags or wearing constricting clothing can also put a strain on your neck and lead to pain. Another common cause of neck pain is inflammation of the joints. This can be caused by arthritis or overuse of the joints.

Finally, pinched nerves can also cause pain in the neck. These nerves become compressed when the spine is misaligned, which can happen due to injury or years of poor posture.

If you suffer from frequent neck pain, it is important to see a doctor to rule out any serious underlying conditions. With proper treatment, you can find relief from your pain and live a healthy, active life.

When Should I See a Pain Doctor for SCM Pain?

If you are experiencing chronic SCM pain, it is important to see a pain doctor for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. Your pain doctor will take a complete medical history and perform a physical examination. They may also order tests, such as X-rays or MRI, to rule out other causes of your pain.

Once a diagnosis is made, your pain doctor will work with you to develop a treatment plan that may include medication, physical therapy, or injections. With proper treatment, you can find relief from your SCM pain and get back to your normal activities.

Understanding the Role of the Sternocleidomastoid Muscle in Pain Syndromes

The sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) is a small, but important, muscle in the neck that can contribute to pain in this area. The SCM muscle can be a major cause of neck pain in adults and children. If you are experiencing severe or chronic SCM pain, make an appointment with a pain physician right away.

If you enjoyed this article about the SCM, check out the other articles on our blog or contact us today for an appointment!

Can neck pain cause headaches? Yes! But it's worth mentioning that headaches are a mysterious ailment. They're widely misunderstood and misdiagnosed because any number of issues can cause a headache.

Whether it's dehydration, hormonal fluctuations, stress, fatigue, or yes, even a stiff neck, living with constant headaches is seriously debilitating. What's worse is that most people ''look fine'' when they have a headache -- even if it feels like their head might explode.

But the reality is you don't have to live with chronic pain if you're determined to find the root cause. Check out the rest of this blog to better understand neck pain and headaches.

The Most Common Causes of Neck Pain

Neck pain is extremely common -- so much so that it impacts 30-50 percent of adults across the U.S. What's even more concerning is that most of these people go on to live with chronic neck pain because they're unable to find a long-term solution that treats the cause, not the symptoms.

The longer you leave an underlying neck issue unresolved, the more likely you are to develop regular headaches. Especially if your neck pain relates to muscle and joint strain. Some of the most common culprits that lead to neck pain include:

• Desk work, i.e. computer use and poor posture
• Driving/commuting for long periods with poor posture
• Unhealthy sleeping positions
• Excessive phone use (tech neck)
• An undiagnosed injury such as a herniated cervical disc
• Neck muscle strain from a previous injury, such as whiplash

Neck pain can also result from long-term referred pain that stems from an injury lower down in the back. What happens to the lumbar spine (lower spine) will impact the cervical spine (upper spine) over time.

Not only this, but an injury anywhere along the spine that remains unresolved can also cause shoulder pain and numbness/tingling in the extremities.

How Can Neck Pain Cause Headaches?

In order to understand how neck pain causes headaches, it's important to understand human anatomy a little better. Basically, everything along the spine is connected. This includes an intricate network of nerves, ligaments, joints, muscles, and bones.

If a nerve, ligament, muscle, or joint anywhere along the spine becomes damaged or irritated, you'll most likely feel the effects. Much of the time, a common side effect of injury to the cervical spine (the neck) is headaches.

What Is a Cervicogenic Headache?

Also called a CGH headache, they're usually a secondary side effect that stems from a primary issue. These primary issues tend to center on:

• Trauma or injury to the cervical spine
• Inflammation of the cervical spine
• Unresolved neck/muscle strain
• Malformations of the cervical spine (the vertebrae)
• A tumor in the upper cervical spine

In short, the cervical spine comprises a huge network of cervical nerves that carry signals to the brain. Any of the above conditions can trigger pain signals to the brain, resulting in a cervicogenic headache.

The Anatomy of a CGH Headache

At the top of the cervical spine (known as the trigeminocervical nucleus), there is a network of nerve fibers. These fibers converge from the upper spinal nerves and the trigeminal nerve.

When you feel pain in your face or head, pain signals travel along the trigeminal nerve. When you have an issue in your neck or cervical spine, these pain signals transfer from the trigeminocervical nucleus to the trigeminal nerve, resulting in a headache.

What Does a Cervicogenic Headache Feel Like?

These types of headaches are often confused with migraines because they can mimic the pain of migraines. But the key difference between the two is that a migraine stems from an issue in the brain. While a CGH headache stems from an issue in the cervical spine.

The pain of CGH headaches may begin as intermittent pain -- meaning that it comes and goes. But eventually, it can develop into continuous, chronic pain if the primary issue is not addressed.

This type of headache might feel like:

• A pain that begins at the back of the neck, then moves to the forehead, specifically around one eye, the temple, or the ear
• You might also feel pain along the shoulder on the same side as your headache
• You will most likely experience stiffness of the neck
• You could also experience swelling of the eye and blurred vision

Most of the time, the pain of a CGH headache is always on the same side of the head/neck. But if it's severe enough, it could affect both sides. There are also certain triggers for CGH headaches.

They include sudden jerking movements of the neck such as coughing or sneezing. As well as unnatural postures of the neck or pressure on the back of the neck.

Treatment for Headaches Caused By Neck Pain

While there are a few ways to treat a headache, they often don't treat the root cause of the issue. This means that many treatment plans only offer relief for the symptoms of the issue, and not the problem itself.

Some common treatment options for headaches include over-the-counter pain relief such as Tylenol, Ibuprofen, and Advil. In more severe headaches cases, a doctor might prescribe stronger pain killers such as Naproxen, Toradol, or Indocin.

If you struggle with recurring migraines, you'll need triptan-based medication that offers relief for this very specific type of pain. Or, there's also tricyclic antidepressants that can help with severe migraine and occipital neuralgia.

The list goes on. However, none of these treatment options really focus on the underlying issue. That's why it's super important to find an expert who will listen to you and help you tackle the root cause.

Find the Relief You Need with Colorado Pain Experts

If you've been wondering, ''can neck pain cause headaches?" and want to find a long-lasting solution that offers true relief from chronic pain, we're your Colorado-based experts.

We believe in treating the source of your pain, rather than just a group of symptoms -- because you are more than your pain! Learn about our treatments for neck pain, here.