Massage.
MuscleBackintermediateDraft

Erector spinaeMusculus erector spinae

Three long columns of muscle (iliocostalis, longissimus and spinalis) running beside the spine from the sacrum to the skull that extend and side-bend the back and hold the trunk upright.

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LatinMusculus erector spinae
Origin
  • Common tendon: medial and lateral crests of the sacrum, spinous processes of the lumbar vertebrae and T11–T12, and the supraspinous ligament
  • Back part of the inner lip of the iliac crest
  • Higher parts of each column: the ribs and the transverse processes of the thoracic vertebrae, in overlapping slips
Insertion
  • Iliocostalis (lateral column): angles of the ribs and posterior tubercles of the transverse processes of C4–C7
  • Longissimus (intermediate column): transverse processes of the thoracic and cervical vertebrae, the lower ribs, and the mastoid process
  • Spinalis (medial column): spinous processes of the upper thoracic vertebrae and the axis (C2)
Action
  • Both sides: extend the vertebral column and hold the trunk upright
  • One side: laterally flex the trunk and neck to the same side
  • Longissimus capitis: extends the head and turns the face to the same side
NervePosterior (dorsal) rami of the spinal nerves (Segmental, at each level of the spine)
NameLatin for 'straightener of the spine'.

Palpation

  1. Client prone with a pillow under the ankles; stand beside the table.
  2. Place the flat fingers just lateral to the lumbar spinous processes and feel the thick, rounded columns on each side of the spine.
  3. Move laterally to find the outer edge of the columns (iliocostalis), where the firm muscle gives way to the softer area over quadratus lumborum.
  4. Ask the client to lift the head and chest slightly off the table; feel the columns harden.

Landmarks: Sacrum · Iliac crest · Posterior superior iliac spine · Mastoid process

The erector spinae is a group, not one muscle, but it is usually massaged as one long unit. From lateral to medial the three columns are iliocostalis, longissimus and spinalis (memory aid: “I Love Spine”). In the lumbar region only the thoracolumbar fascia covers them, so they are easy to feel. Higher up they lie under Trapezius, Rhomboid major and Latissimus dorsi.

Long Effleurage strokes up either side of the spine follow these columns. Tell them apart from their neighbours by depth and position. Multifidus fills the deep groove right next to the spinous processes. Quadratus lumborum lies deeper and more lateral, between the Iliac crest and the 12th rib.

Techniques

  • Effleurage — Long, gliding strokes with the whole palm that spread the medium, warm the tissue and link the other strokes together.
  • Petrissage — Kneading strokes that compress, lift and squeeze the muscle away from the bone, working the tissue between the hands.
  • Circular friction — Small circles made with the finger or thumb pads that move the skin over the deeper tissue without sliding, to work a specific spot.
  • Compression — Pressing straight down into a muscle with the palm, fist or forearm, holding briefly, then releasing and moving on.

Works with

  • Multifidus — Series of short, deep muscle bundles filling the groove beside the spinous processes from the sacrum to C2 that extend and steady each segment of the spine.
  • Quadratus lumborum — Deep, four-sided muscle between the iliac crest, the 12th rib and the lumbar spine that side-bends the lower back and hitches the hip.
  • Semispinalis capitis — Thick, rope-like muscle beside the cervical spine, deep to trapezius and splenius, that extends the head and helps tilt and turn it.
  • Splenius capitis — Broad, strap-like muscle at the back of the neck that extends the head and turns and tilts it to the same side.

Opposes

  • Rectus abdominis — Long, strap-like muscle running vertically down the front of the abdomen that flexes the trunk and helps compress the abdomen.
  • External oblique — Broad, outermost muscle of the side of the abdomen that flexes, side-bends and rotates the trunk to the opposite side.
  • Internal oblique — Middle layer of the side abdominal wall, lying under the external oblique, that flexes the trunk, compresses the abdomen and rotates the trunk to the same side.

Used in routines

Sources

  1. Wikipedia, Erector spinae muscles
  2. Wikipedia, Iliocostalis
  3. Wikipedia, Longissimus
  4. Wikipedia, Spinalis
  5. Gray's Anatomy (1918), IV. Myology 6a: The Deep Muscles of the Back (Public domain; Bartleby edition read via the Internet Archive.)
  6. Gray's Anatomy (1918), IV. Myology 6b: The Suboccipital Muscles (nerves and actions of the deep back muscles) (Public domain; Bartleby edition read via the Internet Archive.)