Massage Therapy Journal Spring 2025

Spring 2025 • 45

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These relationships can be key to understanding common patterns of postural imbalance, such as upper and lower crossed syndromes. Postural Muscles

• Levator scapula • Upper trapezius • Suboccipitals • Scalenes • Sternocleidomastoid • Biceps brachii • Pectoralis major • Pectoralis minor • Latissimus dorsi • Erector spinae • Quadratus lumborum • Hamstrings • Adductor group • Tensor fasciae latae • Piriformis • Iliopsoas • Rectus femoris • Soleus • Gastrocnemius Phasic Muscles • Longus capitis and colli • Middle trapezius • Lower trapezius • Serratus anterior • Triceps • Deltoids • Rectus abdominis • Transverse abdominis

spinal column and extend from the sacrum all the way up to the occiput. The erector spinae muscles are involved in extension and lateral flexion of the spine and trunk. The iliocostalis is the most lateral muscle of the erector spinae group and is comprised of three segments: iliocostalis lumborum, located in the low back region; iliocostalis thoracis, located in the mid-back region; and iliocostalis cervicis, located 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,

• Internal oblique • External oblique • Gluteus maximus • Gluteus medius • Gluteus minimus

• Vastus lateralis • Vastus medialis • Fibularis longus and brevis

• Tibialis anterior Erector Spinae

The erector spinae are a group of muscles located near the spine. These muscles run parallel to the

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