Trapezius Muscle (Human Anatomy): Image, Functions, Diseases and Treatments

The trapezius is a muscle that runs from the base of your neck across your shoulders and into the middle of your back. You can move your head, neck, arms, shoulders, and torso with the aid of the trapezius (traps muscle). Additionally, it supports spinal stability and improves posture. The traps may be impacted by muscle strains, which can hurt and limit movement.

Your back has a sizable muscle called the trapezius. Your neck's base, your shoulders, and the centre of your back are all affected by it. Because of its shape, providers refer to it as the trapezius. It appears to be a trapezoid (a quadrilateral with two parallel sides). The trapezius is referred to as the 'traps muscle' by some people.

The trapezius is in charge of posture and movement. It gives you the ability to tilt your head up and down as well as turn your head all around. It also allows you to stand up straight, twist your torso, and shrug or pull your shoulders back.

When you raise your arm or throw a ball, the trapezius muscles control your scapula (shoulder blade). Trapezius muscle strain is a prevalent injury caused by stretching the muscle too far. The muscle can tear in severe injuries. Warm up before exercise and focus on overall health to avoid injury and keep your traps strong.

The muscle closest to the skin in the back is the trapezius, which is located just below the surface. It begins at the base of the neck and extends across both shoulders and down the back. It terminates in the centre of your back. The trapezius muscles are attached to the spine, scapulae (shoulder blades), ribs, and clavicle (collarbone). The trapezius is controlled by a cranial nerve (a nerve whose origin is the brain).

The trapezius is a type of muscle called skeletal muscle. Skeletal muscle is the type of muscle that makes up the traps. It looks like a kite in shape. This muscle is a component of your musculoskeletal system. It supports your bones and other soft tissues. Skeletal muscles are made up of many different fibres. When these fibres come together, they look striped, or striated.

This big muscle helps you move around and stand up straight. The trapezius is split into three parts by people who work in health care. Each part of your body helps you move in a different way. Together, the 3 components of the trapezius enable you to move your head, stand up straight, bend or twist your torso, and lift your arms. The trapezius is made up of:

• Upper trapezius: This part of the trapezius is the smallest one. It aids in lifting the arms, rotating, extending, turning, and tilting the neck and head, and shrugging the shoulders.
• Middle trapezius: This part of the trapezius muscle is right below the upper part of the muscle. It goes over your whole shoulder. The middle traps help you pull your shoulders back and stretch your arms behind you. They also keep your shoulders stable when you move your arms.
• Lower trapezius: The lower traps start around your shoulder blades and end in the middle of your back in a 'V' shape. This part of the trapezius muscle lets you move your shoulders down and off from your ears ('un-shrug' them). It keeps your spine stable when you do things like twisting and bending.

• Muscle strains: When the traps muscle is overworked, stretched, or torn, it can lead to serious injury. A common side effect of this type of injury is muscle cramping or spasms. Any of the muscles in the lower back, including the traps, are susceptible to strain and spasm.
• Nerve damage: Injury to the nerve that controls the trapezius muscle can lead to dysfunction of that muscle. However, neck surgery occasionally causes this injury (treatments like tumour excision surgery). Muscle weakness may result from nerve damage. It is possible for the entire traps muscle to become paralysed in extreme cases.
• Tightness and pain: Poor posture, like hunched shoulders at a desk, can cause trapezius tightness. People who use computers for long periods of time each day are at an increased risk of developing persistent pain in their shoulders and necks. Shoulder tension can cause headaches, particularly if tight muscles squeeze the trapezius nerve.

An damage to the trapezius muscle can result in the following:

• Insufficient mobility, a reduced range of motion, or a lack of muscle strength (It's possible that you won't be able to raise your arm or shrug your shoulders).
• Experiencing pain and stiffness in the neck and shoulders.
• Having discomfort in the space between the shoulder blades.
• Bruising, swelling, or tenderness in the back, neck, or shoulders of the affected person.
• Trapezius muscle pain.

• X-ray: Your physician may recommend getting an X-ray of your trapezius to determine if it has been injured.
• Electromyography (EMG): Electromyography, also known as EMG, is a test that measures the activity of muscles by applying electrical currents to the muscle tissue. Muscle strains and other diseases that impact the trapezius can be more accurately diagnosed with the use of this test.
• Lipid profile: A lipid profile is a measurement of the quantity of fat, cholesterol, and triglycerides that are present in the blood. This test can assist in the diagnosis of disorders that affect the cardiovascular system, including the heart.
• CT scan: A CT scan is a sort of imaging that employs x-rays to make images of your body's inside. If your doctor suspects you have a trapezius muscle injury, he or she may request a CT scan.
• MRI: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan combines magnets and radio waves to produce images of the inside of your body. If your doctor suspects you have a trapezius muscle injury, he or she may order an MRI.
• Rhematoid factor: This test examines the degree of inflammation in the blood. This test can assist in the diagnosis of heart and circulation disorders.
• Anti ccp: An anti ccp blood test examines the number of antibodies in the blood. This test can assist in the diagnosis of heart and circulation disorders.
• Nerve conduction studies (NCS): NCS can find damage to the nerves in the trapezius. This test can be used to find out if nerve problems are the cause of pain in the middle and lower trapezius muscles. Additionally, it can be utilised to diagnose cases of trapezius muscle paralysis.
• Ultrasound: A trapezius ultrasound can be employed to look for torn muscles and other injuries.

• Massage: Tension and soreness in the muscles are often helped by a massage. Instruct the therapist to pay special attention to the trapezius muscles.
• Heat treatment: Treatment with heat (example, a steamy shower or bath) helps ease muscle tension and pain.
• Physical therapy: You may be able to regain mobility, range of motion, and strength in your traps muscles with the assistance of physical therapy. In addition to this, your therapist could assign you some exercises that stretch and enhance the trapezius muscle.
• Acupuncture: Both dry needling and acupuncture have been shown to be effective in reducing discomfort and tightness in the trapezius muscle.
• Massage therapy: Massage can help you recover from a traps injury or avoid one by enhancing flexibility and relaxing tight muscles. Massage can also be used to prevent injuries.
• Surgery: Muscle tears may require surgery. Your doctor stitches injured muscles to mend them.
• Muscle repair and transplant: Muscle repair and transplant replaces injured or missing muscles with artificial ones.

• Steroids for reducing inflammation of Trapezius Muscle: The Trapezius Muscle Inflammation may be Reduced by Steroids. As the muscle swells and gets inflamed following an injury, this is a frequent issue. Steroids are a kind of drug that aids in reducing swelling and inflammation.
• Analgesics for pain in Trapezius Muscle: Acetaminophen (Tylenol), an analgesic, can help reduce discomfort in the trapezius muscle. However, some people can be allergic to these drugs, so it's crucial to discuss any possible interactions with your doctor.
• Muscular relaxants for Trapezius Muscle Stiffness: Muscle relaxants, such as diazepam (Valium), can assist reduce trapezius muscle stiffness. These medications relax the muscles.
• Antibiotics for infection in Trapezius Muscle: If you have a muscle infection, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics. This will assist in eliminating the infection and reducing inflammation.
• Nutritional supplements for reducing pain in Trapezius Muscle: Some nutritional supplements, such as fish oil and omega-3 fatty acids, can aid in the reduction of discomfort in the trapezius muscle. These vitamins are frequently advised for individuals with neck and shoulder discomfort.
• Antivirals for treating infection of Trapezius Muscle: When there is an infection in the trap muscles, antivirals can be used to cure it. This includes medicines to treat herpes, cold sores, and other viruses.
• Chemotherapeutic medications for the trapezius muscle: Chemotherapeutic medications are used to treat cancer. Some chemotherapeutic drugs can also be used to treat health disorders that affect the trapzeius muscle.

• Maintaining a flexible body is as simple as stretching and exercising, with a wide variety of shoulder and trap exercises available to increase mobility, build strength, and loosen up sore muscles.
• Staying strong and flexible can be aided by gentle exercises like yoga and pilates. Be careful not to overdo it when you hit the gym. Whenever discomfort or pain is felt, stop.
• A healthy weight should be maintained because carrying extra pounds raises the risk of experiencing muscle strain. Have a conversation with your healthcare provider about the ideal weight for your body and the way you live. Stretch and warm up right before beginning your workout.
• Before beginning your workout, make sure to take the time to properly stretch and warm up. When your muscles are warm and flexible, the risk of sustaining an injury is lower.

If the pain in your trapezius or back does not improve within a day or two, you should get in touch with your healthcare provider. Get help as soon as possible if you are experiencing severe muscle weakness or if you are having trouble moving your shoulders, lifting your arms, or moving your head. It's possible that these are symptoms of nerve damage, which can eventually result in paralysis of the trapezius muscle.