You may not be able to point to your trapezius muscle — but when it’s not happy, you’ll know. Trapezius pain can show up after a long day of work, a few hours at the wheel, or when you simply turn your head too fast. It may be in your neck, shoulders or upper back.
But one thing that’s certain? It’s not pleasant. We asked an expert to explain common causes of rapezius pain, so you can avoid them.
Which one’s the trapezius muscle?
Think of the trapezius like a coat hanger for your upper body.
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“This large, triangle-shaped muscle sits across the top of your back and helps you move your neck, shoulders, and arms,” says Vijay Yanamadala, MD, a neurosurgeon and spine expert with the Ayer Neuroscience Institute at Hartford HealthCare.
If it’s weak or strained, everything goes a bit wonky. Even simple movements like turning your head or lifting a bag can feel uncomfortable. Read more
