Massage Therapy Journal Spring 2024

42 • Massage Therapy Journal

AMTA Continuing Education

How Muscles and Muscle Groups Near the Spine Work Together: Spine Muscles and Muscle Groups The erector spinae are a group of muscles located near the spine. These muscles run parallel to the spinal column and extend from the occiput, located at the top of the spine, all the way down to the sacrum at the bottom of the spine. The erector spinae muscles are involved in the extension and lateral flexion of the spine and trunk. The iliocostalis muscle is the most lateral muscle of the erector spinae group and is comprised of three segments: iliocostalis lumborum in the low back region, iliocostalis thoracis in the mid-back region, and iliocostalis cervicis in the upper back and neck region. The iliocostalis muscles help with extension and lateral flexion of the spine. The origin of this muscle is on the thoracolumbar aponeurosis and posterior surface of ribs 1–12. The insertion is on the transverse processes of lumbar vertebrae 1–3, the posterior surface of ribs 6–12, the posterior surface of ribs 1–6, and the transverse processes of the lower cervical vertebrae. The longissimus muscle is in the center of the erector spinae group. Similar to the iliocostalis, this muscle also has three sections: longissimus thoracis in the mid-back region, longissimus cervicis in the upper back and neck region, and longissimus capitis in the neck region. The longissimus muscles contribute to the extension and lateral flexion of the spine. The origin of this muscle is on the thoracolumbar aponeurosis and transverse processes of the upper five thoracic vertebrae. The insertion is on the lower nine ribs, the transverse processes of the thoracic vertebrae, the transverse processes of the cervical vertebrae, and the mastoid process of the temporal bone. The spinalis muscle is the most medial muscle of the erector spinae group, while also being the shortest and the deepest of the three. Like the other muscles in the erector spinae group, this muscle also has three sections: spinalis thoracis in the mid-back region, spinalis cervicis in the upper back and neck region, and spinalis capitis in the neck region.

The spinalis muscles primarily contribute to extension and help maintain proper alignment of the spine. The origin of this muscle is in the spinous processes of the upper lumbar and lower thoracic vertebrae, the ligamentum nuchae, and the spinous process of C7. The insertion is on the spinous processes of the upper thoracic and cervical vertebrae, with the exception of C1. Functionally, the erector spinae muscles play a crucial role in maintaining an upright posture, extending and stabilizing the spine, and controlling spinal movements such as bending backward, bending sideways and rotating the trunk. These muscles work in coordination with other muscles of the core and back to provide stability and support during various activities and movements. The multifidi and rotatores are two groups of deep muscles located in the back. These two muscle groups are deep to the erector spinae group, and while they are separate muscle groups, they do work together to provide stability, support and controlled movement of the spine. The multifidi muscles run along the length of the spine and extend from the transverse processes of one vertebra to the spinous processes of the vertebrae above. The multifidi muscles are divided into several sections, each one connecting to adjacent vertebrae. They play a significant role in spinal stabilization, posture control and controlled movement of the spine. The rotatores muscles are a group of small muscles that are deep to the multifidi and are also divided into several sections, with each section connecting adjacent vertebrae. The rotatores muscles assist in the rotation and stabilization of the spine. They work together with the multifidi muscles to provide segmental control and fine tuned movement of the individual vertebrae. Both the multifidi and rotatores muscles are involved in maintaining the stability and proper alignment of the spine, as well as providing controlled movement and support during activities such as bending, twisting and maintaining posture. They contribute to the dynamic stability of the spine, especially

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