Muscles
Sternocleidomastoid (SCM)
Also known as: SCM, head turner muscle, neck rotator
The SCM refers pain to the forehead, eye, cheek and ear — a frequent and overlooked source of facial pain, headache and dizziness.
Overview
The SCM has two heads (sternal and clavicular) running from the mastoid process to the sternum and clavicle. It rotates the head to the opposite side and flexes the neck. Trigger points here can produce symptoms that look neurological: dizziness, blurred vision, tinnitus.
Trigger point locations
Trigger points are spread along both heads. The sternal division tends to refer to the cheek, eye and forehead; the clavicular division to the ear, frontal region and behind the ear.
Referred pain pattern
Sternal division: forehead, behind the eye, cheek, throat. Clavicular division: forehead across the brow, ear, deep ear pain, and sometimes the molar teeth.
Palpation & testing
Pincer grip the muscle gently with the head slightly rotated and tilted away. Taut bands are easy to roll between the fingers. Compare sides.
Common causes
Whiplash, prolonged head rotation (sleeping position, side monitor), forward head posture, chronic cough, mouth breathing.
Self-care & clinical treatment
Gentle pincer self-massage in supine, postural correction, breathing retraining. Clinically: manual therapy, dry needling with care due to vascular structures.
Stretching & mobility
Sit tall, tuck the chin gently, then tilt the ear away from the side being stretched while rotating the head toward the same side. Hold 20–30 seconds, 2–3 times per side. Do not push through dizziness — release immediately if symptoms appear.
Symptoms commonly linked
References
- • Travell & Simons — Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction, Vol. 1