{
  "$schema": "https://openexercise.org/schema/v0/exercise.json",
  "aliases": [
    {
      "text": "Levator Scap Stretch",
      "kind": "abbreviation"
    },
    {
      "text": "Nose to Armpit Stretch",
      "kind": "common"
    },
    {
      "text": "Sniff the Armpit Stretch",
      "kind": "common"
    },
    {
      "text": "Left levator scapulae stretch",
      "kind": "common"
    },
    {
      "text": "Right levator scapulae stretch",
      "kind": "common"
    }
  ],
  "anatomy": {
    "muscles": [
      {
        "muscle": "levator-scapulae",
        "role": "stretched"
      },
      {
        "muscle": "trapezius-upper",
        "role": "stretched"
      },
      {
        "muscle": "splenius",
        "role": "stretched"
      }
    ],
    "joints": [
      {
        "joint": "cervical-spine",
        "actions": [
          "flexion",
          "lateral-flexion",
          "rotation"
        ]
      },
      {
        "joint": "scapulothoracic",
        "actions": [
          "depression"
        ]
      }
    ]
  },
  "classification": {
    "modalities": [
      "flexibility",
      "mobility"
    ],
    "movement_patterns": [
      "stretch"
    ],
    "mechanics": "isolation",
    "force": "static",
    "kinetic_chain": "open",
    "laterality": "unilateral",
    "planes": [
      "sagittal",
      "frontal",
      "transverse"
    ],
    "contraction": [
      "isometric"
    ],
    "level": "beginner"
  },
  "equipment": {
    "optional": [
      "chair"
    ],
    "required": []
  },
  "external_ids": {
    "wger": "1013,1014"
  },
  "id": "oec:levator-scapulae-stretch",
  "instructions": {
    "setup": [
      "Sit upright on a chair with good posture, feet flat on the floor.",
      "Anchor the shoulder of the side you want to stretch by reaching that arm behind your back or gripping the edge of the seat.",
      "Turn your head roughly 45 degrees away from the anchored shoulder."
    ],
    "steps": [
      "Gently lower your chin toward your opposite armpit or chest until you feel a mild stretch along the side and back of your neck.",
      "Place your opposite hand lightly onto the crown of your head to apply minimal, passive assistance.",
      "Hold the position steadily without bouncing.",
      "Carefully release hand pressure, return your head to neutral, and repeat on the opposite side."
    ],
    "breathing": "Breathe smoothly and deeply, allowing the neck musculature to relax further with each exhalation.",
    "cues": [
      "Nose to armpit",
      "Keep the target shoulder depressed",
      "Gentle guide, not a hard pull"
    ],
    "common_faults": [
      {
        "fault": "Pulling aggressively down on the skull",
        "correction": "Use only the natural weight of your arm to gently guide the stretch; never yank on the cervical spine."
      },
      {
        "fault": "Allowing the target shoulder to elevate",
        "correction": "Keep the anchored shoulder depressed and still to maintain proper tension across the muscle."
      },
      {
        "fault": "Slumping or rounding the thoracic spine",
        "correction": "Maintain an upright chest and straight torso so the stretch focuses entirely on the neck."
      }
    ],
    "safety": {
      "precautions": [
        "Stop immediately if you experience sharp pain, dizziness, or nerve-like tingling radiating down the arm."
      ],
      "spotter": "not-needed"
    }
  },
  "measurement": {
    "duration_counted": "per-side",
    "load": {
      "convention": "not-applicable",
      "kind": "none"
    },
    "profiles": [
      {
        "required": [
          "duration"
        ],
        "optional": [
          "rpe"
        ]
      }
    ],
    "records": {}
  },
  "name": "Levator Scapulae Stretch",
  "previous_ids": [
    "oec:left-levator-scapulae-stretch",
    "oec:right-levator-scapulae-stretch"
  ],
  "provenance": {
    "generated": [
      "/name",
      "/summary",
      "/classification",
      "/anatomy",
      "/equipment",
      "/measurement",
      "/instructions",
      "/setup"
    ],
    "license": "CC-BY-SA-4.0",
    "review": {
      "status": "machine-generated",
      "model": "gemini-3.8-flash",
      "at": "2026-10-31"
    },
    "sources": [
      {
        "title": "wger: Left levator scapulae stretch",
        "url": "https://wger.de/en/exercise/1013/view-base",
        "license": "CC-BY-SA-4.0"
      },
      {
        "title": "wger: Right levator scapulae stretch",
        "url": "https://wger.de/en/exercise/1014/view-base",
        "license": "CC-BY-SA-4.0"
      }
    ]
  },
  "setup": {
    "position": "seated"
  },
  "status": "active",
  "summary": "A targeted static stretch that relieves tension along the side and back of the neck by gently flexing and rotating the cervical spine."
}