Might be silly looking, but should be effective. I haven't tried these yet but I think my neck muscles do need attention. Also, I've noticed my pec minor muscle was extremely tight and bound and when I released it a lot through using my hand, I'd feel tingling going down my arm sometimes. I kind of knew I was hitting a nerve or something but I continued slowly and got good results with softening this muscle. Relieving tightness is no walk in the park but it's gotta be done.
Life changing. I keep telling the doctor I referred to that my hand/finger pain is coming from muscle tightness and trigger points, not a disc problem since the MRIs were fine.
@@drchrisstepienclips I haven't yet, but I'm looking into it! I live in the L.A. area, so if you have any recommendations, feel free to pass them my way.
I have been suffering from neck pain for years. One Neuro said I have TOS, another said nothing showed up on the MRI but I get hotflashes and arrythimias when I move my head forward or down. I think it may be the scalenes pinching nerves that affect my nervous system or blood flow or something. Makes no sense to me. My neck tendons feel like cords of scar tissue.
I have a question, why do my scalene muscles only show on one side of my neck? Is it possible to be born without them on one side? Im not sure if they are actually the scalene muscles but it seems to be in that exact area. I workout religiously but for some reason one side of my neck doesnt have them, even when I try to feel it.
Very good video ! I do indeed have a tightness in my scalene muscles. Actually I have also noticed another problem with my scalene which is quite weird. When I lift a heavy bucket let’s say in my right arm then my left scalene muscles get really really tight and vice versa. Also if I carry that bucket during a long time in my hand my hand gets numb. Is this normal ?
No, not normal. Your scalenes are obviously overloaded. You need the opposite scalene to stabilize. If your hand gets numb you llikely have adhesion between scalenes and nerve roots or around a disc in the neck.
Can this problems with scalene muscles cause the feeling of shallow breathing? Doctor say my lungs are good but I have trouble breathing deeply 😢 .I also have inverted curvature of my cervicals and 2 cervical hernias 😢.
I was diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome a few years back via MRN. Had a scalenectomy along with 4 shoulder ops and bone fusion c3 c4 done but still have debilitating Spasms in every single part of just the left side of my neck. The only way I have been able To describe it to people is like the absolute worst Charlie horse you have had and multiply it by about 5 and put it in your neck! Again left side only. They usually last about 30-2hrs. I have had spasms in the past that were so bad it hurt for me to swallow the next day! These were a result of a few serious car accidents in my younger days 16-24. I am currently debating getting a spinal chord stimulator but man I am not big on the idea of re wiring my spinal chord!
@@drchrisstepienclips I live in pa on the boarder if jersey. I have done extensive work with A.R.T. I saw what looked like you were doing something along those lines. I did that for about 4 years. Minimum 2 times a week and it helped some, sometimes but nothing has worked all the time. I have had graston work done or however you spell it that did nothing.
@@sawdustwhisper9397 Yeah, we stopped getting ART certified in 2013 because they don’t weren't trying to train doctors to fix really hard cases. Many of our patients have seen ART providers and been surprised by how different our treatment is. You can certainty try the stimulator, but maybe you can check out the 80 testimonial videos we have? (We only take other doctors failed cases, so you would have to have seen at least 3 docs first) ruclips.net/p/PLnKFrpVz7iNARbHRTDHp6zKPUFT2xFWc-
@@drchrisstepienclips 3 doctors total or 3 of your doctors? I have seen no joke since I was 24, I’m 40 now, at least 30 doctors. As far as the stim goes from testimony from other people with ntos they say either A their doctor won’t do it or B they say it won’t help. I am extremely hesitant on surgeries I have most only care about the money and not fixing the patient.
I have had right ear pain for several months. Radiculopathy in my arms and traps, scalene and recently pain in my eye, nose, posterior alveolar nerve with nerve zaps. I am a hygienist. I have had an MRI of cervical spine which shows some bulging at 3-7 and some narrowing of the right side foramen of 5/6. I have done 4 weeks of pt which mostly consists of seated traction. I believe the traction is causing tmj problems now and right scalenes are in pain and tight. I’m wondering if myofascial release will help?
Please removed that (annoying) overriding intro music once you start speaking - then many of us will be able to not only properly hear but focus on what you have to share. Thanks
just use ai to separate the audio tracks if it really bothers you, this is a super useful and succinct video and that imo heavily outweighs a mild audio discrepancy.
Thanks found the tingling in pinky with ok sign!!! Great and helpful video. My ortho didn’t find this. And wasn’t very proactive about helping me resolve my pain. I’ll work on my scalenes and see how it goes.
Hello doctor i have the symptoms that you explained and I did the tests and indeed i have them so now what can I do to stop it and relieve them , on top of that my neck neck muscles are so tight i can stretch my neck to the beck or sides that much i feel the muscles are pulling and they are tight and sometimes it get hard to breath and get lightheaded so please what's the solution??
could scalene adhesion cause the sensation of pulling in the right front just where the neck and shoulder connect? I have had this for a while tried many therapists and chiros but not specific scalene work. It happened 6 years ago when I over lifted on a high row. any way I and work on gently myself? I am in Oakland ca if you know anyone let me know.. thank you
I have a little brachial plexus compression due to my 1st rib raised up on one side really bad.. If i massage around my scalenes i get nerve pain UP my neck and skull pain.. WHAT nerve is that? I would think its the Accesory nerve???
how about the adhesion of scalene muscle and the hipertrofy masseteric, soory im from Peru my native lenguge is spanish soory abor mi english mistake i hope you canunderstan me and can help me, i appreciate a lot, best regard
Adhesion is a fibrous tissue that builds up in the tissue due to injury, trauma or overuse causing the muscle to be weak/tight and causes chronic pain ruclips.net/video/WLg8J48CYSg/видео.html here we explain more
Yes, it can. But there are alot of tissues that can cause this. A disc problem, bony arthritis, longus coli, and nerve root entrapments at the scalenes can cause it too.
my scalene muscle is very hard for 6 months now but i never get numbness in my arm but my scalene muscle always burns when i am behind my desk or watching tv
@@drchrisstepienclips i used to watch my smartphone a lot in my bed and lie for hours on my leftside buyt my rightside of neck is perfectly fine, i am massaging it everyday but no real improvement it doesn''t hurt but it is uncomfortable especially when watchin tv in my bed
Yes, it can, if anterior scalene. But other common culprits if it's directly in the front: longus coli and if it's tightness throughout the neck - generalized protective tension of arthitis or a cervical disc herniation
Hi Dr. Joe. I have an issue I have been investigating for some time. I have an assymetical face and the left side has been pushed up and is stonger relative to the left side. I've been going to a chiropractor for months now but I don't seem to be able to find a solution. The chiropractor told me that there is imbalance in the scalenes. The ones on my left are stronger than the ones on my right and therefore pushing my face upwards. I believe I also have mild bruxism on the songer left side. I've been massaging both sides, but the ones on the left side seem to tense up easily and I can't seem to be able to balance them. The SCM muscle also seems to be bigger on the left side. What do you reccommend I should do to fix this issue? What kind of doctor do you think I should visit? Thanks in advance doctor, kindly, Alexander
Unfortunately if you have adhesion the only way to get rid of it is treatment. For now, try deloading as much as possible. Often a big contributor is not sitting slide lean rule (www.barefootrehab.com/sitting-correctly-sit-slide-lean-rule/) or excessive stress or not belly breathing
Hello! Is it possible that when I turn my head and touch my scm muscle that I can feel like muscle knot or adhesion. It is not visible but only felt when I turn my neck.
Hi doctor im from india , i have left side neck pain for past 3 weeks , it starts from a long car ride , i could not able to turn left side completely, it causes pain in scalene area , when i touch my left side neck , i can feel my middle scalene is hard and swelling in compare to right side , when seeing without touching we cant find than swelling , why that swelling ? Im afraid of it may be tumor ? Pls explain !
Sounds like you may have a nerve entrapment between the nerve roots at scalenes. That's the best explanation for why the scalene would become "hard" protectively tight and then swell (it's overloaded). If it's swolllen it's not a tumor. Car rides load the neck a lot. Def not a tumor.
@@drchrisstepienclips how to treat this ? Im taking thiocolchicoside and etoricixib compound tablets in morning and night for past 3 days , for neck pain and pain in back head , and behind the lower ear,severe pain is reduced well , but not completely gone , still swell in there , how to treat ? Pls say
I did the test all of them but there was no tingling. I’ve had carpal tunnel for about 12 years but most recently I’ve developed costochondritis or what they think is costochondritis and since developing that my carpal tunnel syndrome has disappeared! It only bothered me maybe a few times in the last three months that I’ve had costochondritis”. So that being said could something in my spine be throwing my rib cage off acting as though it’s a costochondritis?
Sorry for the length of time Stephanie. Yes, it's possible your spine is causing costochrondritis. Look up "thoracic disc referral symptoms". I'm having a hard time understanding why the carpal tunnel symptoms went away. They may come back.
@@drchrisstepienclips No worries I know you’re busy and I appreciate you getting back to me regardless of how long it took. I do want to mention something and I will also mention it to my physical therapist here in Colorado but I like as much input as I can get because knowledge is power. I noticed that when I’m laying down I hear crackling somewhere either in my thoracic spine or my cervical spine. I hold my neck in the cervical area and the cracking still happens but when I engage my back muscles probably my rhomboids the crackling disappears until I release those muscles again and the crackling happens. It’s just weak back muscles causing my spine to go wacky?
@@stephaniegutierrez6222 It sounds like you have arthritis in your C or T spine and active engagement of the muscles stops the cracking temporarily. I'd look into Avail Soft Tissue (in CO), Dr. Holen is a colleague of ours and VERY good at fixing chronic pain.
@@drchrisstepienclips Oh well the x-rays at both a different chiropractic office and at the ER showed no arthritis according to both of them. That’s why I feel stumped.
@@stephaniegutierrez6222 Your symptom history trumps imaging. Unless you're 10 years old, almost everyone over 25 starts to have tiny levels of degeneration. It's only a matter of how much.
I have a lump on my left super clavicle region approx 3.9 cm x 0.7 cm (ovoid) Had MRI. Radiologist’s conclusion states that it is likely asymmetry of the posterior scalene muscles. Does this seem reasonable?
It's being pulled AT THE WRIST? If yes, notice your finger joint angle with your wrist extended back. Is the finger angle less than when you have your wrist straight (or neutral)? If yes, it confirms a forearm (or upstream) issue. LMK more details if you want.
Could you please help me? At c4-5 I have right paramedian ventricles dual sack resulting in severe right Paramedian spinal stenosis At c4-5 is a right Paramedian disc herniation indenting the right Paradian ventricle Sac resulting in severe spinal stenosis. At C6 level maybe secondary to myelomalacia Right now the right side of my face is tight and pulls into my neck down to my pectoral muscles and down my right arm leaving me looking like I have Bell's palsy and severe tingling pain in my arm neck and face. It hurt to even smile. I am currently seeing seeking treatment but I seem to have puzzled my doctors. Some of my doctors believe that my left side is so weak that my right side is over compensating. In about a month my doctor with a different opinion would like to inject me with cortisone to release the tightness. I am terrified that once this muscle is relaxed my neck will not be able to hold itself up without the left side being strong enough. What would you suggest anything would be highly appreciated.
Ahh we did a bad job not including this. Regardless, here's the treatment to remove adhesion between nerve roots and scalenes. TY for commenting, I'll add to the description. ruclips.net/video/fast_v199ew/видео.html
Hello 💕 I was a TOS suspect by a very good extremity chiropractor in Austin, Texas turns out my shoulder, collar bone, 1st rib etc was out of place has since been fixed and feeling a lot better although not 100% so onto a cranial chiropractor he found my atlas and axis were twisted in different directions from car wrecks 20+ years ago. I'm under his care now and he is still adjusting to fix TOS but I have a pretty strong pulse under my collar bone and it's waking me up at night. Yes, scalenes were the worst complaint of pain when he first started putting me back in place. Felt (and sometimes still feels) like a Charlie horse in the side of my neck. The pins in needles feel more like "itching" up the side of my neck, face and chest. The pulse this bothers me 😪 could this be adhesion related too? Or structural still? I've been getting adjusted for TOS for 6mo. Also I have hypermobile elhers danlo syndrome.
Yes, it can be structural or adhesion related. An extensive exam would need to be done to determine this so it can't be explained here. If you have face and chest symptoms, it sounds like the lateral neck (nerve roots) and neurovascular sleeve still need to be cleared out of adhesion. There are nerves coming from lateral neck to the face (like the great auricular nerve).
@@drchrisstepienclips Thank you so much for your response ❤ I agree, unfortunately I'm too far from you 😭 do you know anyone or could refer me to anyone in the Austin Texas area who can do this? Any advice is more than appreciated 🙏🏼
@@drchrisstepienclips also, I just looked up nuerovasular sleeve and yes! The pain there has almost subsided but it still get a lot of tingles and itches there several times a day! (Wow, spot on!) Also, Cranial chiropractor said that my arm isn't "draining properly" since I have blood pooling in hand intermittently, arm is slightly swollen all the time, IV's can't go in the effected arm, breast is smaller and nipple is a slightly different color on effected side. Ugh. This feels like a jig saw puzzle 😭 and I DO NOT want any surgery.
@@lolajane5768 I def don't know anyone in Texas. St. Louis would be the closest. You don't really want to mess around with someone who doesn't know precisely how to do this. You could get messed up worse.
@@lolajane5768 This is good. You're collecting good data. Now you have to peel off the layers one at a time. Find someone to help u figure out where the artery is stuck.
We are in Denville about an hour north, we have many patients from South Jersey. If you've had pain over 6 months and seen over 3 docs or therapists without relief, then you can call us (862-205-4847) and schedule a call with one of our patient advocates who willl make sure we can definitely get you permanent relief. Hope to meet you in the office!
Hm ok... got me intrigued I flat hand on wall... I barely can Flatten my fingers, I feel tightness in the fingers, pulling tight pain at the elbow, very little at the side of the neck... But I tingle/numb in seconds
@@drchrisstepienclipshi there, thank you for a very informative video. I have lots of pain in the forearm, tingling down into the fingers as well as numbness in the thumb. When I press on trigger points in the scalene, it lights up the pain in all those areas. But when I do your test to rule out the scalenes, it's the forearm test that is positive. I've treated the forearm repeatedly with poor results. Is it possible that it's my scalenes after all?
Sir i have been getting tingling in my left hand and stiffness in left side of chest and neck due to this so what should i do to get rid of it and i have been getting heart palpitations also
@@drchrisstepienclips it had been for 3 months and i have show to cardiologist and there is no problem in the echo test and i have show it to neurologist he gave me blood test and the report was normal and also he gave me mri of cervical neck and brain but it is also normal so he gave me anxiety tablets and still something i feel tingling in left side and something moving in my left side of chest and underarms..... I have been dealing this problem after i have done pull ups in home just 5 sets that used to be not always. So what should i do can u suggest me
How do you remove adhesions and/or relax the scalenes. I have a suspicion that my C5 C6 disc bulge is not the problem of my pinched nerve(s) but the scalenes.
yea, i have same thing, i have done 2 weeks of therapy, laser, ultrasound, phonophoresis, etc on my disc but it did not help shit, i am thinking same think, it must be scalenes
@@zuraiashvili8647 Deep breathing exercises using your diaphragm has really brought me relief. Start by breathing out with your mouth through your belly then breath in with your nose for four seconds and release for seconds out of your mouth. Do this through out the day. Always focus on your tummy and never use your upper torso. Chest, shoulders and neck might be causing your problems and the scalenes are restricted at your neck compressing nerves everywhere causing symptoms. I'm working on how to get these relaxed in returning to normal. Work in progress. Hope this helps you.
The scalenes are rarely problematic without disc issues. Only way to remove adhesion is with tension (either with hands or a metal instrument). So glad deep breathing has helped. We do use Ras Butten's O2 Trainer to retrain the diaphragm. Of course, stress management is huge too. So many of us hold tension in our scalenes.
Hi i did the test on both sides. On the right site i felt a lot more tightness and a tiny bit of pain where the bicep connects to my forearm. Also i noticed that my right scalene is slightly bigger than my left one. I also do workouts for several years now. Eat relatively healthy and have an active life style . What's the solution? Is it just muscle imbalance ? Is it my posture that caused it?
It could be posture, could be overuse or stress in the muscles. Be careful when you're working out to make sure you don't overload. How long have you been dealing with this?
@@drchrisstepienclips I've noticed it earlier this year .. first i thought i was paranoid , than i thought it was a lump or something but then i just realized the it's just the muscle ... I think i have posture imbalance because I tend to destribute my weight on the right when I stand up. And I usually feel that my right arm is stronger. I'll probably need to visit i physical therapist. Thanks for your response. Much appreciated
Might be silly looking, but should be effective. I haven't tried these yet but I think my neck muscles do need attention. Also, I've noticed my pec minor muscle was extremely tight and bound and when I released it a lot through using my hand, I'd feel tingling going down my arm sometimes. I kind of knew I was hitting a nerve or something but I continued slowly and got good results with softening this muscle. Relieving tightness is no walk in the park but it's gotta be done.
Gotta be done
Thanks for the info. Relax your eyes ❤
excellent video..short and sweet instructions for diagnosis 🙏
TY my friend.
Life changing. I keep telling the doctor I referred to that my hand/finger pain is coming from muscle tightness and trigger points, not a disc problem since the MRIs were fine.
I hear you friend! Have you ever been to an adhesión release method provider? It could help!
@@drchrisstepienclips I haven't yet, but I'm looking into it! I live in the L.A. area, so if you have any recommendations, feel free to pass them my way.
@@TheEllsworth8 Veronica Jacquez in Temecula is the only provider we have in Southern California.
I have been suffering from neck pain for years. One Neuro said I have TOS, another said nothing showed up on the MRI but I get hotflashes and arrythimias when I move my head forward or down. I think it may be the scalenes pinching nerves that affect my nervous system or blood flow or something. Makes no sense to me. My neck tendons feel like cords of scar tissue.
Sorry you’ve had neck pain for years and nothing has helped at all! Curious where are you located? If there is adhesion removing it would help!
Please lose the music. You're good we want to hear you and think about what you're saying.
Appreciate the feedback
I have a question, why do my scalene muscles only show on one side of my neck? Is it possible to be born without them on one side? Im not sure if they are actually the scalene muscles but it seems to be in that exact area. I workout religiously but for some reason one side of my neck doesnt have them, even when I try to feel it.
Very good video ! I do indeed have a tightness in my scalene muscles. Actually I have also noticed another problem with my scalene which is quite weird. When I lift a heavy bucket let’s say in my right arm then my left scalene muscles get really really tight and vice versa. Also if I carry that bucket during a long time in my hand my hand gets numb. Is this normal ?
No, not normal. Your scalenes are obviously overloaded. You need the opposite scalene to stabilize. If your hand gets numb you llikely have adhesion between scalenes and nerve roots or around a disc in the neck.
Can this problems with scalene muscles cause the feeling of shallow breathing? Doctor say my lungs are good but I have trouble breathing deeply 😢 .I also have inverted curvature of my cervicals and 2 cervical hernias 😢.
Yes it can cuz they attach to ribs. But could be other stuff too
@@drchrisstepienclips thank you ❤🙏🏻
I was diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome a few years back via MRN. Had a scalenectomy along with 4 shoulder ops and bone fusion c3 c4 done but still have debilitating Spasms in every single part of just the left side of my neck. The only way I have been able To describe it to people is like the absolute worst Charlie horse you have had and multiply it by about 5 and put it in your neck! Again left side only. They usually last about 30-2hrs. I have had spasms in the past that were so bad it hurt for me to swallow the next day! These were a result of a few serious car accidents in my younger days 16-24. I am currently debating getting a spinal chord stimulator but man I am not big on the idea of re wiring my spinal chord!
Dude,it could be adhesion. Where do you live? Check out Dan's Story - ruclips.net/video/Nt0JCQwzzoY/видео.html
@@drchrisstepienclips I live in pa on the boarder if jersey. I have done extensive work with A.R.T. I saw what looked like you were doing something along those lines. I did that for about 4 years. Minimum 2 times a week and it helped some, sometimes but nothing has worked all the time. I have had graston work done or however you spell it that did nothing.
@@sawdustwhisper9397 Yeah, we stopped getting ART certified in 2013 because they don’t weren't trying to train doctors to fix really hard cases. Many of our patients have seen ART providers and been surprised by how different our treatment is.
You can certainty try the stimulator, but maybe you can check out the 80 testimonial videos we have? (We only take other doctors failed cases, so you would have to have seen at least 3 docs first)
ruclips.net/p/PLnKFrpVz7iNARbHRTDHp6zKPUFT2xFWc-
@@drchrisstepienclips 3 doctors total or 3 of your doctors? I have seen no joke since I was 24, I’m 40 now, at least 30 doctors. As far as the stim goes from testimony from other people with ntos they say either A their doctor won’t do it or B they say it won’t help. I am extremely hesitant on surgeries I have most only care about the money and not fixing the patient.
@@drchrisstepienclips maybe I will
Make an appointment I just looked your denville office is only an hour away
I have had right ear pain for several months. Radiculopathy in my arms and traps, scalene and recently pain in my eye, nose, posterior alveolar nerve with nerve zaps. I am a hygienist. I have had an MRI of cervical spine which shows some bulging at 3-7 and some narrowing of the right side foramen of 5/6. I have done 4 weeks of pt which mostly consists of seated traction. I believe the traction is causing tmj problems now and right scalenes are in pain and tight. I’m wondering if myofascial release will help?
I'd say ADHESION release is your best bet to fix this, not myofascial release.
Please removed that (annoying) overriding intro music once you start speaking - then many of us will be able to not only properly hear but focus on what you have to share. Thanks
Sorry about that.
I think the music is pleasant 😊
just use ai to separate the audio tracks if it really bothers you, this is a super useful and succinct video and that imo heavily outweighs a mild audio discrepancy.
🙏🏻🫶🏻
Dr, Joe, do you know of any adhesion oriented therapists in the south florida area. I need one after seeing your video.
Hey friend, sorry for late reply, hope you are doing better now 🙏🏻
in Florida there is only one provider which clinic is called “veracity soft tissue”
Thanks found the tingling in pinky with ok sign!!! Great and helpful video. My ortho didn’t find this. And wasn’t very proactive about helping me resolve my pain. I’ll work on my scalenes and see how it goes.
Leet us know!
did you find a strengthening exercice that work?
Hello doctor i have the symptoms that you explained and I did the tests and indeed i have them so now what can I do to stop it and relieve them , on top of that my neck neck muscles are so tight i can stretch my neck to the beck or sides that much i feel the muscles are pulling and they are tight and sometimes it get hard to breath and get lightheaded so please what's the solution??
Sounds like you need to have adhesions removed. For now, learn how to breathe through your diaphragm so neck muscles go quiet and lower strress levels
could scalene adhesion cause the sensation of pulling in the right front just where the neck and shoulder connect? I have had this for a while tried many therapists and chiros but not specific scalene work. It happened 6 years ago when I over lifted on a high row. any way I and work on gently myself? I am in Oakland ca if you know anyone let me know.. thank you
Yes, but more likely to be the nerve roots at scalenes. Dr Mike mccalister coast soft tissue is only one in California currently
I have a little brachial plexus compression due to my 1st rib raised up on one side really bad.. If i massage around my scalenes i get nerve pain UP my neck and skull pain.. WHAT nerve is that? I would think its the Accesory nerve???
how about the adhesion of scalene muscle and the hipertrofy masseteric, soory im from Peru my native lenguge is spanish soory abor mi english mistake i hope you canunderstan me and can help me, i appreciate a lot, best regard
You're doing great. What about it? Yes, we're saying the scalenes need to be treated here. We have some masseter treatment videos on Tiktok and IG.
What is adhesion exactly?
Adhesion is a fibrous tissue that builds up in the tissue due to injury, trauma or overuse causing the muscle to be weak/tight and causes chronic pain ruclips.net/video/WLg8J48CYSg/видео.html here we explain more
Can tight scalenes cause throat pain and tightness on one side of the neck/throat when swallowing? I've been experiencing this for 6 weeks.
Yes, it can. But there are alot of tissues that can cause this. A disc problem, bony arthritis, longus coli, and nerve root entrapments at the scalenes can cause it too.
Did it gone ...any update??
This is literally me right now. Did your issue resolve?
@@krazyopylive any update please tell me pleaseee ..
@@kratos8641 yes! Eventually it went away. I have an anxiety problem that might have been causing my throat issues according to my doctor.
my scalene muscle is very hard for 6 months now but i never get numbness in my arm but my scalene muscle always burns when i am behind my desk or watching tv
It could be "referred" pain from the C spine or could be just ADHESION, but not close to the nerve roots. The former is more likely.
@@drchrisstepienclips i used to watch my smartphone a lot in my bed and lie for hours on my leftside buyt my rightside of neck is perfectly fine, i am massaging it everyday but no real improvement it doesn''t hurt but it is uncomfortable especially when watchin tv in my bed
@@unitor699industries Got it. You may need to try an adhesion specialist or really good myofascial therapist.
Can this also cause a sense of tightness or pulling in throat?
Yes, it can, if anterior scalene. But other common culprits if it's directly in the front: longus coli and if it's tightness throughout the neck - generalized protective tension of arthitis or a cervical disc herniation
@@drchrisstepienclips thank you for responding.
Thnks dr it feel me batter nd batter relife im frm somali 🇸🇴
So happy to hear this!
How old are you
Hi Dr. Joe. I have an issue I have been investigating for some time. I have an assymetical face and the left side has been pushed up and is stonger relative to the left side. I've been going to a chiropractor for months now but I don't seem to be able to find a solution. The chiropractor told me that there is imbalance in the scalenes. The ones on my left are stronger than the ones on my right and therefore pushing my face upwards. I believe I also have mild bruxism on the songer left side. I've been massaging both sides, but the ones on the left side seem to tense up easily and I can't seem to be able to balance them. The SCM muscle also seems to be bigger on the left side. What do you reccommend I should do to fix this issue? What kind of doctor do you think I should visit? Thanks in advance doctor, kindly, Alexander
Yo, same!
Id very much like to know myself
it may be palatal muscles and muscles of the side of the head and tongue
@@getagrip7474
Yes, I'm into mewing at the moment
It seems to help
@@getagrip7474 if yes then what is next step to resolve?
How does one fix this ??
This will give you throat pain? Also ear pain?
It definiteley can be one cause, yes.
Thanks!!
Welcome!
thank you
You are welcome!
What’s the difference between adhesion and trigger points?
Adhesions are different then trigger points, its a facial that actually glues the muscle down.
any adhesion specialist in ct,
Hi friend! Check out www.findanadhesionprovider.com to see if there is someone near you!
how do i fix it?
Seeing an adhesion release methods provider!
Hello. I have tightness in my scalene muscles. I am from norway som i cant come to new jersey. How du i fix this?
Unfortunately if you have adhesion the only way to get rid of it is treatment. For now, try deloading as much as possible. Often a big contributor is not sitting slide lean rule (www.barefootrehab.com/sitting-correctly-sit-slide-lean-rule/) or excessive stress or not belly breathing
Hello! Is it possible that when I turn my head and touch my scm muscle that I can feel like muscle knot or adhesion. It is not visible but only felt when I turn my neck.
Of course it is, why wouldn't it be?
Hi doctor im from india , i have left side neck pain for past 3 weeks , it starts from a long car ride , i could not able to turn left side completely, it causes pain in scalene area , when i touch my left side neck , i can feel my middle scalene is hard and swelling in compare to right side , when seeing without touching we cant find than swelling , why that swelling ? Im afraid of it may be tumor ? Pls explain !
Sounds like you may have a nerve entrapment between the nerve roots at scalenes. That's the best explanation for why the scalene would become "hard" protectively tight and then swell (it's overloaded). If it's swolllen it's not a tumor. Car rides load the neck a lot. Def not a tumor.
@@drchrisstepienclips how to treat this ? Im taking thiocolchicoside and etoricixib compound tablets in morning and night for past 3 days , for neck pain and pain in back head , and behind the lower ear,severe pain is reduced well , but not completely gone , still swell in there , how to treat ? Pls say
@@theshadowman7125 You need adhesion release.
when i move my neck laterally on the right some pulling pain in neck c3 c4 and pain in rotator cuff. can u suggest some exercises
ruclips.net/video/uzXvrCTq4Bs/видео.html
Do you have any recommendations for someone in Oregon to get help closer to home?
Not yet. Closest is Colorado. But if you know any chiros, PTs, or MTs who want to learn this, we are now training docs/therapists in our methodolgy.
I did the test all of them but there was no tingling. I’ve had carpal tunnel for about 12 years but most recently I’ve developed costochondritis or what they think is costochondritis and since developing that my carpal tunnel syndrome has disappeared! It only bothered me maybe a few times in the last three months that I’ve had costochondritis”.
So that being said could something in my spine be throwing my rib cage off acting as though it’s a costochondritis?
Sorry for the length of time Stephanie. Yes, it's possible your spine is causing costochrondritis. Look up "thoracic disc referral symptoms". I'm having a hard time understanding why the carpal tunnel symptoms went away. They may come back.
@@drchrisstepienclips
No worries I know you’re busy and I appreciate you getting back to me regardless of how long it took. I do want to mention something and I will also mention it to my physical therapist here in Colorado but I like as much input as I can get because knowledge is power. I noticed that when I’m laying down I hear crackling somewhere either in my thoracic spine or my cervical spine. I hold my neck in the cervical area and the cracking still happens but when I engage my back muscles probably my rhomboids the crackling disappears until I release those muscles again and the crackling happens. It’s just weak back muscles causing my spine to go wacky?
@@stephaniegutierrez6222 It sounds like you have arthritis in your C or T spine and active engagement of the muscles stops the cracking temporarily. I'd look into Avail Soft Tissue (in CO), Dr. Holen is a colleague of ours and VERY good at fixing chronic pain.
@@drchrisstepienclips
Oh well the x-rays at both a different chiropractic office and at the ER showed no arthritis according to both of them. That’s why I feel stumped.
@@stephaniegutierrez6222 Your symptom history trumps imaging. Unless you're 10 years old, almost everyone over 25 starts to have tiny levels of degeneration. It's only a matter of how much.
I have very little pain in right side of neck and in ear too. is it dangrouse?
I have no idea what your diagnosis could be with that info. I suggest getting it checked out if you're concerned.
Can you recommend anyone in Tennessee?
Closest is North Carolina near Charlotte?
@@drchrisstepienclips Thanks for responding! Hopefully someone in the Nashville area will get trained soon 🙏
@@jesusfollowerbr9325 that's a good area, we should have someone hopefully soon
I have a lump on my left super clavicle region approx 3.9 cm x 0.7 cm (ovoid) Had MRI. Radiologist’s conclusion states that it is likely asymmetry of the posterior scalene muscles. Does this seem reasonable?
It is reasonablee - can be a bunch of things - but yeah - you can always get MRI looked by another radiologist.
@@drchrisstepienclips I really appreciate your reply and educational vids. Thank you.
@@joshgalt2022 Anytime my friend.
Hi could tight forarm flexor muscles cause carpal like symptoms
Yes, but it's more commonly adhesion around the median nerve at pronator teres, flexor digitorum superficialis, or the transverse carpal ligament.
What if there's no pins and needles but I feel like I can't really flatten my wrist and it feels like it's being pulled a lot ?
It's being pulled AT THE WRIST? If yes, notice your finger joint angle with your wrist extended back. Is the finger angle less than when you have your wrist straight (or neutral)? If yes, it confirms a forearm (or upstream) issue. LMK more details if you want.
Oh gosh that’s my problem! Is there an adhesion specialist like you in Az I need help nothing has helped so far
Closest is CO - Avail Soft Tissue.
Hi, what about right eye pressure that wont go away for 2 weeks
Is it worse with mvement or posture? If not, it's NOT a musculoskeletal problem. I'd see an EENT.
@@drchrisstepienclips i think a little. But what i get more is a weird head pressure that comes and goes and its only on the right.
@@nelsonlee8180 Have you ever had any issues with your jaw? How long have you been dealing with this?
@@drchrisstepienclips it cracks once in awhile
@@nelsonlee8180 you may want to have someone look at the jaw. I get my jaw treated here due to issues with my left side of my head and ear.
Get rid of the music or play it much softer.
Very much appreciate the feedback! Ty for taking time to comment - will relay to videographer!
Could you please help me? At c4-5 I have right paramedian ventricles dual sack resulting in severe right Paramedian spinal stenosis
At c4-5 is a right Paramedian disc herniation indenting the right Paradian ventricle Sac resulting in severe spinal stenosis. At C6 level maybe secondary to myelomalacia
Right now the right side of my face is tight and pulls into my neck down to my pectoral muscles and down my right arm leaving me looking like I have Bell's palsy and severe tingling pain in my arm neck and face. It hurt to even smile. I am currently seeing seeking treatment but I seem to have puzzled my doctors. Some of my doctors believe that my left side is so weak that my right side is over compensating. In about a month my doctor with a different opinion would like to inject me with cortisone to release the tightness. I am terrified that once this muscle is relaxed my neck will not be able to hold itself up without the left side being strong enough. What would you suggest anything would be highly appreciated.
Sounds like you have a lot of nerve entrapments at the right scalene muscles. Where do you live? You need an adhesion specialist.
But how is this fixed?
Ahh we did a bad job not including this. Regardless, here's the treatment to remove adhesion between nerve roots and scalenes.
TY for commenting, I'll add to the description.
ruclips.net/video/fast_v199ew/видео.html
Hello 💕
I was a TOS suspect by a very good extremity chiropractor in Austin, Texas turns out my shoulder, collar bone, 1st rib etc was out of place has since been fixed and feeling a lot better although not 100% so onto a cranial chiropractor he found my atlas and axis were twisted in different directions from car wrecks 20+ years ago. I'm under his care now and he is still adjusting to fix TOS but I have a pretty strong pulse under my collar bone and it's waking me up at night. Yes, scalenes were the worst complaint of pain when he first started putting me back in place. Felt (and sometimes still feels) like a Charlie horse in the side of my neck. The pins in needles feel more like "itching" up the side of my neck, face and chest. The pulse this bothers me 😪 could this be adhesion related too? Or structural still? I've been getting adjusted for TOS for 6mo. Also I have hypermobile elhers danlo syndrome.
Yes, it can be structural or adhesion related. An extensive exam would need to be done to determine this so it can't be explained here.
If you have face and chest symptoms, it sounds like the lateral neck (nerve roots) and neurovascular sleeve still need to be cleared out of adhesion.
There are nerves coming from lateral neck to the face (like the great auricular nerve).
@@drchrisstepienclips Thank you so much for your response ❤ I agree, unfortunately I'm too far from you 😭 do you know anyone or could refer me to anyone in the Austin Texas area who can do this? Any advice is more than appreciated 🙏🏼
@@drchrisstepienclips also, I just looked up nuerovasular sleeve and yes! The pain there has almost subsided but it still get a lot of tingles and itches there several times a day! (Wow, spot on!) Also, Cranial chiropractor said that my arm isn't "draining properly" since I have blood pooling in hand intermittently, arm is slightly swollen all the time, IV's can't go in the effected arm, breast is smaller and nipple is a slightly different color on effected side. Ugh. This feels like a jig saw puzzle 😭 and I DO NOT want any surgery.
@@lolajane5768 I def don't know anyone in Texas. St. Louis would be the closest. You don't really want to mess around with someone who doesn't know precisely how to do this. You could get messed up worse.
@@lolajane5768 This is good. You're collecting good data. Now you have to peel off the layers one at a time. Find someone to help u figure out where the artery is stuck.
Where are you I’m in freehold NJ I need help
We are in Denville about an hour north, we have many patients from South Jersey. If you've had pain over 6 months and seen over 3 docs or therapists without relief, then you can call us (862-205-4847) and schedule a call with one of our patient advocates who willl make sure we can definitely get you permanent relief. Hope to meet you in the office!
Relatable and educational thx hun
@sari taylor - TY for kind words my friend.
Soo effective I like
TY my friend.
Hm ok... got me intrigued
I flat hand on wall... I barely can Flatten my fingers, I feel tightness in the fingers, pulling tight pain at the elbow, very little at the side of the neck...
But I tingle/numb in seconds
Sounds likely a forearm entrapment
@@drchrisstepienclipshi there, thank you for a very informative video. I have lots of pain in the forearm, tingling down into the fingers as well as numbness in the thumb. When I press on trigger points in the scalene, it lights up the pain in all those areas. But when I do your test to rule out the scalenes, it's the forearm test that is positive. I've treated the forearm repeatedly with poor results. Is it possible that it's my scalenes after all?
@@beautyking9376 likely but an evaluation would be needed my friend, have you seen any doctor or therapist for it?
Sir i have been getting tingling in my left hand and stiffness in left side of chest and neck due to this so what should i do to get rid of it and i have been getting heart palpitations also
How long has this been happening? Have you seen a doctor for it?
@@drchrisstepienclips it had been for 3 months and i have show to cardiologist and there is no problem in the echo test and i have show it to neurologist he gave me blood test and the report was normal and also he gave me mri of cervical neck and brain but it is also normal so he gave me anxiety tablets and still something i feel tingling in left side and something moving in my left side of chest and underarms..... I have been dealing this problem after i have done pull ups in home just 5 sets that used to be not always. So what should i do can u suggest me
@@KaranSharma-io3qi Sounds like it may be an adhesion probelm. Where do you live?
But nowadays i am having visible veins in the hand area and sometimes burning pain in ✋ and temperature change in body
@@drchrisstepienclips sir i live in india
How do you remove adhesions and/or relax the scalenes. I have a suspicion that my C5 C6 disc bulge is not the problem of my pinched nerve(s) but the scalenes.
yea, i have same thing, i have done 2 weeks of therapy, laser, ultrasound, phonophoresis, etc on my disc but it did not help shit, i am thinking same think, it must be scalenes
@@zuraiashvili8647 Deep breathing exercises using your diaphragm has really brought me relief. Start by breathing out with your mouth through your belly then breath in with your nose for four seconds and release for seconds out of your mouth. Do this through out the day. Always focus on your tummy and never use your upper torso. Chest, shoulders and neck might be causing your problems and the scalenes are restricted at your neck compressing nerves everywhere causing symptoms. I'm working on how to get these relaxed in returning to normal. Work in progress. Hope this helps you.
@@nrp5791 hi..... I m facing the same problem... Did u find any relief...
The scalenes are rarely problematic without disc issues. Only way to remove adhesion is with tension (either with hands or a metal instrument). So glad deep breathing has helped. We do use Ras Butten's O2 Trainer to retrain the diaphragm. Of course, stress management is huge too. So many of us hold tension in our scalenes.
@@zuraiashvili8647 Very well could be. Pls know that none of those therapies will remove adhesion from the neck muscles.
Hi i did the test on both sides. On the right site i felt a lot more tightness and a tiny bit of pain where the bicep connects to my forearm. Also i noticed that my right scalene is slightly bigger than my left one. I also do workouts for several years now. Eat relatively healthy and have an active life style . What's the solution? Is it just muscle imbalance ? Is it my posture that caused it?
It could be posture, could be overuse or stress in the muscles. Be careful when you're working out to make sure you don't overload. How long have you been dealing with this?
@@drchrisstepienclips I've noticed it earlier this year .. first i thought i was paranoid , than i thought it was a lump or something but then i just realized the it's just the muscle ... I think i have posture imbalance because I tend to destribute my weight on the right when I stand up. And I usually feel that my right arm is stronger.
I'll probably need to visit i physical therapist. Thanks for your response. Much appreciated
@@dailyhubranx anytime, and good luck!!
Is this magic? 😮
Heh
Can’t hear a word you are saying with the music so loud. So annoying. Could have been a good video but I’ll never know.
So how the hell do you fix it
With adhesion release methods!