The LPL Massage Routine for Fixing Forward Head Posture | ErikDalton.com

The LPL Massage Routine for Fixing Forward Head Posture

This week's video has Erik Dalton demonstrating a therapeutic massage routine called LPL (Levator, Pecs, Lats) aimed at addressing upper cross syndrome – a postural issue where the arms are internally rotated, shoulder girdle is protracted, the head is positioned forward, and the upper shoulder elevators are in contraction. The routine includes both massage and stretches taken from Erik Dalton's system of Myoskeletal Alignment Techniques:

Levator and Upper Traps Stretch: The individual grasps the therapy table to stretch the levator area and upper traps. The therapist then glides down the border of the scapula, where the levator scapula attaches, avoiding the spine's processes.

Erectors Adjustment: The therapist pushes the erector spinae muscles from lateral to medial to provide support and counteract the tendency of these muscles to spread in those with poor posture.

Superior Drag: The therapist drags down from the upper regions, focusing on the attachments on the transverse processes of C1, C2, and C3, which are connected to several muscles, including the upper trap and levator scapula.

Pec Stretch: This stretch targets the pectoral muscles. The individual grasps the back of their neck, and the therapist provides a stretch, leveraging the elbow.

Lats and Teres Major Stretch: With the individual grasping the therapy table, the lats are exposed. The lats, interestingly, attach to the lower region but are innervated in the neck. The therapist provides a gentle sweeping motion along the lats, ending with the "windshield wiper" technique.

The LPL routine gives massage therapists a way to provide relief and correction for head forward posture by targeting specific muscle groups and their attachments, ensuring they're relaxed, stretched, and in the correct alignment.

✅ These techniques are part of a broader approach called Myoskeletal Alignment Techniques, an approach developed by Erik Dalton, PhD for treating chronic pain conditions. To find out more, go to https://erikdalton.com.

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✅ Other massage treatment videos and articles you may enjoy:

► Assessing Forward Head Posture and Neck Pain
   • Assessing Forward Head Posture and Ne...  

► Forward Head Posture - Part 1
https://erikdalton.com/blog/forward-h...

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