These moves help soften your SCM muscles (sternocleidomastoid), which are key to being able to turn your head side to side. If they’re a bit stuck, then turning the head could be difficult or restricted.

Note that if you’ve done these a few times and your neck isn’t getting better… then it’s not these muscles, it’s something else – come see me !

These muscles are at the front of your neck, running diagonally from the sternum (sterno-) and collarbone (or clavicle -cleido-) to part of the skull behind the ear (the mastoid process).

When they work one at a time, they play a part in turning your head to each side, and also for tilting your ear toward the shoulder. When both work together, they flex your neck, taking your chin toward your chest.

A tight SCM muscle can cause pain, stiffness, and other symptoms in the neck, shoulders, and head.

Difficulty turning or tilting the head in one direction is usually an indication, or if the neck feels a bit crunchy when turning. If it stays like that a while, then you may feel dizzy or off-balance.

If you’ve been staring at a computer screen all day, then both may become shorter, pulling the head forward. This can result in tension headaches, or an ache at the back of the neck. It’s great to do after a long day of work!

If you’re prone to curling up when stressed or anxious, then these might also start to get tight.

These are Emmett moves, so they’re light touch, and you’re going to do them three times each side.

The first set of moves (left video) are just below the collarbone, and near your sternum. Do a small switch move under the collarbone toward the sternum. Pick up your finger and move 1-2cm along the collarbone, and do another switch. Move another 1-2cm along, and do a third switch toward your sternum. I find it easiest with my opposite hand.

The second set of moves are on the other end of the SCM, just behind the ear. If you drop behind your ear lobe and feel a “corner” of your skull, just below that is the SCM muscle. (If you’re not sure, tilt your head a little and you’ll feel it move). Do 3 switches, toward your ear lobe (as shown in the middle video)

Then do the other side… and do three times on each side. The right video shows this.

You’ll probably feel that you can turn your head further, and be able to tilt your head up to see the sky !