Muscle Energy Technique for the Levator Scapulae

To stretch the right levator scapulae:

• The patient is left side lying with the head positioned in flexion, left side bending and left rotation.
• The operator’s right hand is placed on the lateral aspect of the neck from C1 through C4 to stabilize the cervical spine. The operator’s left hand is placed over the patient’s right shoulder in front of the clavicle so that the shoulder can be brought into posterior tilt with depression of the medial border of the scapula. The patient’s right hand should be placed upon and remain on top of the right hip.
• The patient is instructed to raise the right shoulder towards their ear which is resisted by the therapist for five to seven seconds.
• Upon relaxation further posterior tilt and depression of the scapula are introduced by the therapist.
• This procedure is repeated 3-4 times.