Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/465652
44 m a s s a g e & b o d y w o r k m a r c h / a p r i l 2 0 1 5 by poor tissue mobility around the pectoralis major and anterior deltoid, as well as postural deviations like forward head posture or kyphosis. Improving posture in the head, neck, and shoulder girdle, as well as circulation and tissue mobility in the chest and anterior shoulder, may alleviate pain and tension in the platysma. Clients who must emphasize or exaggerate facial expressions, like actors, performers, sign language interpreters, and teachers, may experience excessive tension in the platysma, as well as the other mimetic muscles. Include superficial friction techniques and myofascial release of these muscles for these clients in particular, or as part of treatment for neck issues, temporomandibular joint dysfunction, headaches, or as a nice finish for relaxation massage. Christy Cael is a licensed massage therapist and certified strength and conditioning specialist. Her private practice focuses on injury treatment, biomechanical analysis, craniosacral therapy, and massage for clients with neurological issues. She is an instructor at The Bodymechanics School of Myotherapy & Massage in Olympia, Washington. She is also the author of Functional Anatomy: Musculoskeletal Anatomy, Kinesiology, and Palpation for Manual Therapists (Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2009). Contact her at functionalbook@hotmail.com. Editor's note: The Client Homework element in Functional Anatomy is intended as a take-home resource for clients experiencing issues with the profiled muscle. The stretches identified in Functional Anatomy should not be performed within massage sessions or progressed by massage therapists, in order to comply with state laws and maintain scope of practice. FUNCTIONAL ANATOMY PALPATING THE PLATYSMA Positioning: client supine. 1. Sitting at the client's head, locate the superficial flesh on the front of the neck with your fingertips. 2. Have the client draw the lower lip down and make a big frown. 3. Gently palpate the ridges formed between the mandible and chest by the platysma muscle. 4. Have the client lift the head to further ensure proper location. CHIN LIFT 1. Stand or sit up straight. 2. Keep your neck elongated as you lift your chin and look upward. 3. Close your lips and relax, feeling a gentle stretch in the front of the neck. 4. Increase the stretch by stretching your bottom lip up over the top lip. 5. Lower your head, then repeat.