The sternocleidomastoid muscle is located on both sides of the anterior part of the neck, starting in front of the sternal stem and medial 1/3 of the upper border of the clavicle, and ascending to the lateral aspect of the mastoid process. Patients usually develop the disease due to uncoordinated head and neck movements, sprains, or whiplash injuries. Some people also develop the disease because of poor sleeping posture and pillow height, which causes excessive stretching of one sternocleidomastoid muscle on one side. Onset is often acute, and unilateral is common. Feeling soreness and tightness on one side of the neck, patients with pain can radiate to the shoulder and back on the same side, and neck movement is restricted.

1. Methods and steps

See Figure 2-2-21.

Figure 2-2-21 Massage for sternocleidomastoid muscle injury

(1) The patient takes a sitting position, and the surgeon gently rubs the patient's pain point with his thumb and fingertips for 1~3 minutes, as shown in this figure (1).

(2) If the pain is severe, the surgeon can first use the thumb to slightly press the missing points on the affected side of the patient for 1~3 minutes, and let the patient gently rotate the head and move the neck to relax the muscles, see Figure (2).

(3) The surgeon gently rubs the sternocleidomastoid muscle on the affected side of the patient with the thumb and index finger of the right hand for 3~5 minutes, and the strength is tolerated by the patient, as shown in Figure (3).

(4) The surgeon holds the patient's head with his left hand, holds the patient's sternocleidomastoid muscle with his right thumb and forefinger, and gently shakes the patient's head for about 1 minute to relax the sternocleidomastoid muscle on the affected side, as shown in this figure (4).

2. Precautions

(1) Patients with acute injury can apply cold compresses within 24 hours to relieve local congestion and swelling.

(2) Patients with severe local pain should be diagnosed with or without cervical spine lesions.

(3) In the above treatment, it can be combined with external drug treatment and reduce exercise.

(4) If it is caused by improper sleeping posture, attention should be paid to adjusting and correcting the sleeping posture.

"Look at the picture of Tuina Massage" (21) sternocleidomastoid muscle injury is being hit by hand, please wait for a while,

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