The best levator scapulae stretch on planet earth.

Dr. John Sarno, a pioneer in the treatment of chronic pain in the 80s and 90s, discovered that 99% of his patients experienced tension in the levator scapulae muscle.

Sarno believed that mild oxygen deprivation to muscles was the culprit behind chronic tension, which he attributed to the unconscious brain and repressed emotions.

I’m not a Sarno absolutist but it is undeniable that he was onto something. There is no other area of the body that is as commonly associated with stress, tension and stiffness than the side of the neck - or the levator scapulae.

I feel tension here from time-to-time and I’m sure you do too. That’s probably why you’re here.

This is normal and VERY common. You don’t need to “fix” the levator scapulae or do anything drastic.

Having said that, there are strategies and exercises you can implement to reduce tension in this muscle.

This will not only help relax the levator scapulae but also reduce global tension in the nervous system.

The Best Levator Scapulae Stretch in the World

Hanging out and breathing in this stretch for a few minutes a day will relax this muscle. But the levator scapulae or any other muscle you stretch won’t relax if you don’t relax.

Daily Levator Scapulae Exercises

In addition to the passive stretch above, I also recommend incorporating some gentle mobility movements for the neck.