Neck Muscle Pain and Headaches | Sarasota Chiropractic Care with Dr. Sandy Arthur

Jun 21

Chiropractic care for one-sided headaches and tension in Sarasota FL

Do you struggle with headaches that just won’t quit? You might be surprised to learn that the cause could be your scalene muscles, a set of muscles on the side of your neck that are often overlooked but play a major role in head, neck, and shoulder pain.

When scalenes become tight or dysfunctional, they can:

Send trigger points to the jaw, cheek, behind the eye, or the side of the head
Cause one-sided headaches that feel similar to migraines
Pull the first rib upward, creating tension in the shoulder and chest
Contribute to the all-too-common feeling of being “stressed” or “tense”

I hear patients say “my shoulders are up by my ears” almost every week in my Sarasota office. And here’s the kicker, many people even use their scalene muscles to breathe when breathing should really come from the chest and diaphragm. No wonder they’re overworked!

Dr. Sandy Arthur treating scalene muscle tightness in Sarasota chiropractic clinic

Fixing Tight Scalenes: A Step-by-Step Approach

Because so many factors contribute to scalene tension, the solution is rarely one-size-fits-all. Remember: healing isn’t linear. Here are a few ways to start addressing the problem:

Step 1: Pillow Check
The wrong pillow height can strain your neck all night long, especially if you’re a side or back sleeper. Too high or too low, and it’s like holding a bad stretch for hours.

Step 2: Gentle Stretching
Light, controlled stretches of the neck can make a big difference. Slowly move your head side to side, holding gently at the end range. Don’t forget to stretch your chest muscles too — your pecs and scalenes are more connected than you think.

Step 3: Stress Management
Tension in the scalenes often mirrors emotional stress. Incorporating meditation, grounding, or even a mindful walk can help reset your nervous system and ease neck tightness.

Sarasota chiropractor using Active Release Technique for neck pain and headaches

Chiropractic and Active Release for Scalenes

At Well Co Chiropractic in Sarasota, I treat scalene-related pain and headaches using Active Release Technique (ART), chiropractic adjustments, and soft tissue therapy. By releasing the scalenes and related muscle groups, we restore proper breathing mechanics, reduce headache frequency, and improve posture.