Chronic upper back tension is often neurologica...
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Chronic upper back tension is often neurological not muscular The spinal accessory nerve powers your trapezius and SCM and when it doesnt glide or fire well the muscles it controls feel guarded overactive and tight If tightness keeps returning even after stretching this nerve is usually why Here is how to floss it neckpainrelief nerverehab tighttraps

Mar 15, 2026
225 words 90% confidence
If you have tight traps and they're not loosening up from phosphor release, it could be that the spinal accessory nerve is being irritated. Let's fix it. The spinal accessory nerve is a cranial nerve that comes down and runs through the upper trapezius muscle and innervates the upper, middle, and lower traps. Now, some signs that that nerve may be irritated and may benefit from gliding are chronic, tight upper traps that just don't stay loose. If you have one shoulder that stays elevated, higher than the other. If you have neck pain and stiffness when you turn left and right, or if you have shoulder pain from prolonged overhead use. So the way we free up this nerve through nerve glides are we are going to start by laterally flexing our head away from the side we're treating. We're then gonna protrude our jaw and our chin forward. We will then take our shoulder, squeeze our scapula back, drop the shoulder down. This is our starting position. From here, we're just gonna do some gentle nods, forward and back, while holding this position. Forward and back. And we're gonna do this about five to 10 times. So, if you have tight trapezius muscles and self fascia release just isn't doing the trick, try these nerve glides. It may really help. Now you know.

Summary

Chronic upper back tension often stems from irritation of the spinal accessory nerve. Nerve glides can help alleviate tightness in the trapezius muscles when traditional stretching fails.

Key Points

  1. Chronic upper back tension may be due to nerve irritation.
  2. The spinal accessory nerve innervates the trapezius muscles.
  3. Signs of nerve irritation include persistent tightness and shoulder elevation.
  4. Nerve glides can help alleviate tightness in the trapezius.
  5. Perform gentle nods while holding specific head and shoulder positions.
  6. Try these techniques if stretching isn't effective.

Tags

neck-pain-relief nerve-rehab tight-traps

Repurpose Ideas

  • Instagram post: 5 signs of spinal accessory nerve irritation
  • Tweet: How to perform nerve glides for upper back tension
  • Checklist: Steps to relieve tight trapezius muscles

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