The sternocleidomastoid muscle is one of the superficially located parts of the muscles of the human body. She received such a complex and unusual name due to the structural features and attachment points. In anatomy, this muscle belongs to the biceps, that is, it has two so-called heads. The first junction is the sternum, more precisely, its upper region, the second is the collarbone at the point of convergence with the latter. The two initial points of the muscle, merging higher into one abdomen, pass to the upper point of attachment to the mastoid process of the temporal bone of the skull.
The neck is a very important part of the body. Even if we exclude the fact that the aesthetic appearance of a person depends on this area of \u200b\u200bthe muscles, especially with increasing age, then it has a huge responsibility for many physiological processes in the body. For example, the sternocleidomastoid muscle, along with other groups in this area, is involved in maintaining the balance of the head. In addition, it is this part of the muscles that is responsible for the stable state of the brain during large overloads, whichcan occur during a fall, a sudden movement, an emergency while driving in a vehicle, etc.
Also, muscles perform many other equally vital functions.
This is, first of all, such processes as swallowing, pronouncing sounds, etc. The sternocleidomastoid muscle, whose functions are to turn the head, is on the surface, and it can be very easily detected by anyone. To do this, just turn your neck, for example, to the left, and put your fingers on the right side of the neck. With this position of the head, the sternocleidomastoid muscle will be in the most stretched state, and have sufficient tension. In addition to all the above functions, this part of the muscles of the body is involved in the process of breathing: when in a fixed position, it helps to raise the chest during inhalation.
It should be noted that anyone can get into a situation where the sternocleidomastoid muscle hurts. Inflammation of it, as a rule, is a consequence of severe hypothermia of the body as a whole or the neck separately, as well as its overtraining. Naturally, for any
pain is best to seek help from a competent medical specialist. After all, during self-treatment, inflammation processes can go on strengthening, not weakening.
Sometimes the sternocleidomastoid muscle refuses to perform its functionsdue to physical overload. Most often, this manifests itself in those people who suffer from various stresses, insufficient or malnutrition and lack of relaxing activities. Hypertonicity of muscle tissue on the one hand leads to a syndrome known as torticollis. For its treatment, the patient is prescribed medication and complete rest. Naturally, in order to prevent the development of such an ailment, it is recommended to regularly engage in fitness, which includes both strength exercises and muscle stretching movements. In addition, it is necessary to adhere to the basics of proper nutrition, on which the full supply of the body with all useful substances depends.
