Levator Scapulae
Exercises that target the levator scapulae, grouped by whether they stretch or strengthen it.
The levator scapulae runs from the upper neck vertebrae down to the top inner corner of the shoulder blade. As its name says, it lifts (elevates) the shoulder blade, and it also helps tilt and side-bend the neck.
With forward head posture and a chronically shrugged, tense upper body it tends to become short and painful, often producing a pinching ache where it attaches to the shoulder blade. It frequently overworks alongside the upper trapezius.
It responds to gentle lengthening (a look-down-and-away stretch) combined with restoring deep-neck-flexor control and lower-trapezius strength, so the shoulder blade no longer needs to be hiked. Explore the neck exercises for practical options.
