by Alec Chavez
(noun. /stir-no-clee-doe-MASS-toyd/)
What does it mean?
The sternocleidomastoid (SCM) is a long neck muscle that connects your sternum (sterno) and clavicle/collar bone (cleido) to your skull. There is one located on each side of your neck, and when they contract at the same time, they are responsible for pulling your head down . However, when they contract separately,they rotate the head to the opposite side of your body. In other words, when the left one contracts, it will rotate your head to the right.
How do I use it in a sentence?
“I woke up with a lot of neck pain to the point where I could barely move my head. The doctor told me that my sternocleidomastoid was stiff and that I needed to stretch it out so that I could move my head again.”
Clinical Significance
The most common form of neck pain is usually caused from tightness/stiffness in the SCM, termed Sternocleidomastoid syndrome. SCM syndrome is usually caused by poor posture, sleeping position, neck trauma (whiplash), occupational stress, weightlifting, and other forms of stress (emotional, mental, physical). Unfortunately this stiffness can lead to a host of issues spanning from simple neck pain to vertigo (feeling off balance or dizzy) and even tinnitus (ringing in the ears). Typically this is treated by a physical therapist who will work with you to correct the movement pattern that led to the issue such as improving posture, sleeping position, or sports activity.
