How To Find Trigger Points - Sternocleidomastoid (Head and Ear Pain)

A short tutorial covering the anatomy of the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) anatomy, biomechanics, trigger point formation and symptoms, including referred pain.

Dr. Jonathan Kuttner M.D. is a chronic pain specialist who is widely recognized as a leading authority on the subject of trigger points and trigger point therapy.

When not treating or teaching, Jonathan is likely hiking in the hills around his home in New Zealand, or practicing Aikido.

In 2014 Jonathan received a lifetime achievement award from the National Association of Myofascial Trigger Point Therapists (NAMTPT).

[BrainUser]

Wow, not sure if placebo - massaging the SCM seems to have cured the stabbing pain behind my ear! The back of my head feels far more relaxed, massaging the aching point directly didn't help at allm thanks so much for this video!

[dr.varshadabhade]

Thank you sir...after get know about trigger point ...I get relief in my pain

[roisinmc]

Thanks for this video. I have had ear popping and pain on one side. Been to GP, been to ent and i'm convinced now it is this. If i press a point on my neck which looks very like location of a trigger point in your video, my ear pops. I even said this to the ent but they just looked at me like i was crazy. I have bad posture but also a few lower teeth removed on that side which has made things worse. There is a bite component to it but the scm muscle feels so tight and uncomfortable i think it's causing the ear issues. Thank you

[ShaunaCheungBoSaanWOGO]

What if the pain is deep in the ear, sore throat especially when swallowing, and an intermediate, shocking, sharp, debilitating pain at the top left of the skull? This pain started this morning and intensified at night. This has happened a few times in the last 7 months or so but never happened prior. I'm 38 years of age. No health problems except vertigo which started 7 years ago.

[OhioDan]

Are any of the vestibular symptoms associated with SCM Syndrome caused by a specific trigger point like the ones shown in this video?

[yahyanajmi]

I have them in both sides. Please how I can treat them? It is so painful! 😣

[lifewithlexy]

Can this be used for tinnitus or thumping muscle spasms in the ear

[mbob]

I experienced this while eating and turning my head at the same time. I still have some pain above and behind my ear, plus stabbing in my neck just above the collar. I had an appointment with my GP and I was told my ear canal was clear, but I was still diagnosed as having an ear infection. I decided to leave the Amoxicillin for a while and I am doing gentle exercises instead. The problem only started five days ago, so lets hope it goes away soon.

[deejayxcrypt]

Hmm. I think I managed to use this to unclog my ear. I rly should exercise a lot more. This desk job of mine does all sorts of hidden stuff like this.

[helenatan]

What dr specialist should someone see if experiencing pain ( sternocleidomastoid) ?

[juanplazas]

I've been having pain behind the eye (ocasional), nausea (24/7), dizziness (24/7), blurry vision (24/7) and TMJ soreness (ocasional) for 9 months now. My PT told me I have a lot of TP's in the trapezius and suboccipital muscles, however she hasn't found any serious TP's in my SCM muscle. So, where do you think this symptoms could be coming from? Specially the dizziness one. I would really appreciate your advice, this is no way to live! Thanks

[michellemabelle]

I’ve had trigeminal neuralgia for years. I have always had someone assist me in stretching my sternocleidomastoid when I get an attack because I find it brings me some relief, but this is the first time I’ve heard this spoken of. I’d like to find out more and who could assist me with finding trigger points.

[earlprinsloo]

Good evening doctor... I find that this muscle tends to get very sensitive when I have sinus infection. My question is: does activated trigger points cause the sinus reaction or is it the sinus infection that causes this sensitivity in this muscle?

[Mike-sitt]

Question is, how would one treat the clavicular head division side? A little difficult no? I have extreme trigger points in this area after being injured and it feels like concrete when palpated.

[shine-nmde]

I have been facing the same issue since 8-9 months what can be the solution of this?

[kayoconey]

Would an osteopath help solve the pain in these areas? If not who is the best person to see?

[Jkfa]

Why my dizziness always come back specially my ear had pain and shoulder connected when inhave vertigo or something full in my ear i have vertigo and sinus too before and now

[pupanas]

Hi, can you tell if it is possible to use electrostimulation directly on SCM?

[TunesAndToys]

i started getting little waves of dizziness later after doing scalene trigger therapy. is that normal? it felt good at the time.

[lindabrincken]

Dr. This is same like TMJ/TMD muscle problem ?