Quote Originally Posted by Miranda View Post
I *think* the muscle that runs horizontal across the upper back below the neck is the trapezius... that does the main job of holding our heads up while cycling. Mine is not tired all the way down the center of my back. It's right at the tops. Like right where someone would give you a good shoulder with both hands standing behind your back.
Sounds right. When I have pain there, my massage guy also ends up releasing related groups of muscles - biceps, triceps, the 'erector' muscles down the middle of my back, hamstrings, hip flexors, core muscles, diaphragm. It sounds like a lot but sometimes it's those other groups that are causing the group you're having trouble with to work harder than normal and feel stressed.

My chiropractor had me do some neck strengtheners. Sit up straight. First, place your right hand on your right cheek, palm facing out (fingers toward your ears). Push gently against your hand, but not to the point you are shaking (don't turn your head or let it drop). Next, do it on the left side. Next, place your hands on your forehead (fingertips up, palms down, above your eyes) and press forward (again, not to the point you're shaking). Last, place your hands behind your head, fingertips interlaced, and push backward.

Another neck stretch/strengthener he gave me was to lie down on a rolled towel under my neck, and tuck my chin to my chest. Another chin tuck, place your arms behind you in a V (sort of like a yoga chest expansion), tuck your chin toward your neck.