How Upper Trapezius Muscle Dysfunction Contributes to Post-Concussion Symptoms in Kansas City Patients

How Upper Trapezius Muscle Dysfunction Contributes to Post-Concussion Symptoms in Kansas City Patients

Still dealing with headaches, neck tension, or dizziness after a concussion or car accident? You might be surprised to learn that one of the biggest culprits is your upper trapezius muscle — often shortened, tight, and overworked after trauma.

At our Kansas City clinic, Dr. Lance Stevenson, DC regularly treats patients whose lingering post-concussion symptoms are connected not only to the brain, but to the neck and shoulder muscles — especially the upper trap.

What Is the Upper Trapezius?

The trapezius is a large, triangular muscle that spans from the base of your skull down to the middle of your back. The upper portion (upper trap):

• Connects the base of the skull and cervical spine to the shoulder

• Elevates the shoulders and helps turn or tilt the head

• Plays a key role in neck posture, head stability, and muscle tension patterns

While it’s essential for movement and support, the upper trap is very prone to overuse and guarding — especially after a head or neck injury.

Why the Upper Trapezius Becomes a Problem After a Concussion or Whiplash

After a concussion, especially one caused by a car crash, fall, or sports injury, the upper trap may:

• Become hypertonic (excessively tight)

• Develop trigger points that refer pain

• Compensate for weakness or dysfunction in nearby stabilizers

• Create abnormal tension on the neck and base of the skull

• Irritate nearby nerves and joints

This leads to a cycle where the upper trap tries to “protect” the brain and neck — but ends up making things worse.

How Upper Trap Dysfunction Worsens Post-Concussion Symptoms

Patients from Lee’s Summit, Overland Park, Liberty, and Shawnee often experience:

💢 Tension Headaches

Upper trap trigger points refer pain up the neck and into the temple, jaw, or behind the eyes — mimicking migraine or cluster headaches.

🌀 Dizziness and Disequilibrium

The trap pulls on the cervical spine and base of the skull (C0–C2), altering proprioceptive input and affecting reflexes like the cervico-ocular reflex (COR) and vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) — both of which influence balance and visual stability.

👁️ Visual Strain and Fatigue

Tension in the upper traps and surrounding neck muscles can interfere with head-eye coordination, causing blurred vision, motion sensitivity, and visual fatigue.

🧠 Cognitive Fatigue and Fog

Muscle guarding in the neck and shoulders drains energy and increases sensory mismatch — leading to more mental fatigue, especially in visually or cognitively demanding environments.

Common Signs of Upper Trap Involvement in PCS

• Headaches that worsen with posture or shoulder tension

• Tightness or “knots” along the top of the shoulders

• Neck pain that radiates into the head or eyes

• Dizziness when turning the head or raising the arms

• Fatigue or discomfort after sitting at a desk or using a phone

• One shoulder visibly higher than the other

How We Treat Upper Trapezius Dysfunction in Kansas City

At our clinic, Dr. Lance Stevenson, DC evaluates the cervical spine, visual-vestibular system, and upper body muscle function to identify the true source of lingering PCS symptoms.

Treatment may include:

✅ Manual release of the upper trapezius and levator scapulae
✅ Postural retraining to reduce shoulder and neck strain
✅ Cervical spine mobilization to improve alignment and motion
✅ Proprioceptive integration drills to reset faulty input from neck to brain
✅ Breathing and autonomic regulation (to reduce muscle guarding caused by sympathetic dominance)
✅ Laser-guided head repositioning exercises for neck-eye control

Most importantly, we address the trap's connection to the brainstem, balance, and vision systems — which is why our concussion care is more than just pain relief.

Don't Let Tension Hold Back Your Concussion Recovery

If you’re still dealing with dizziness, neck tightness, or visual overload after a concussion or car accident — and your shoulders feel like they're doing all the work — your upper traps may be sabotaging your recovery.

At our Kansas City injury clinic, Dr. Lance Stevenson, DC helps patients from Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Raytown, and Parkville finally move forward by treating both the brain and the body together.

Call 816-226-7476 today to schedule your evaluation and learn if upper trap dysfunction is part of your PCS symptoms.

Special thanks to Complete Concussions for their training and educational resources. To learn more about comprehensive concussion treatment options, visit completeconcussions.com.

Disclaimer:

This blog is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace medical advice. If you have experienced a concussion or other injury, please consult a qualified healthcare provider. Always follow the advice and treatment plan given by your medical professional.

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