Muscles being discussed: Brachiocephalicus
Location: The brachiocephalicus muscle is located in the horses neck. This muscle originates along top of the cervical spine (temporal bone, atlas, 3rd vertebrae, and 4th vertebrae) and end at the shoulder (inserts at humerus).
Function: Bends/flexes the neck (laterally) and moves the shoulder forward.
Symptoms of tension:
· Restricted shoulder movement
· Reluctance to bend/flex neck (lateral)
· Stiffness when doing circle work
Causes of tension:
· Unbalanced reins
· Lameness
· Injury (ex: fall)
How massage can help: Massage is a great way to address tension in the brachiocephalicus muscle. By addressing knots and breaking up adhesions in the muscle tissue, massage can help loosen up tense muscle fibers allowing your horse to have better flexion and movement. I’ll use multiple massage techniques such as compression, trigger point therapy, and cross fiber friction to address these issues.
Photo Credit: willierossin/stock.adobe.com
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