Massage.
MuscleBacksuperficialDraft

TrapeziusMusculus trapezius

Large diamond-shaped muscle of the upper back and neck that moves and stabilises the scapula.

No image yet
LatinMusculus trapezius
Origin
  • External occipital protuberance
  • Medial third of the superior nuchal line
  • Ligamentum nuchae
  • Spinous processes of C7–T12
Insertion
  • Lateral third of the clavicle
  • Acromion
  • Spine of the scapula
Action
  • Upper fibres: elevate and upwardly rotate the scapula; extend and laterally flex the neck; rotate the head to the opposite side
  • Middle fibres: retract the scapula
  • Lower fibres: depress and upwardly rotate the scapula
NerveAccessory nerve (CN XI) (C3–C4 (sensory/proprioceptive))
NameGreek trapezion, 'little table' — the left and right muscles together form a trapezium (diamond) shape.

Palpation

  1. Client prone; stand at the head of the table.
  2. Pinch the upper fibres between thumb and fingers along the top of the shoulder, from the neck out to the acromion.
  3. Ask the client to lift the elbow slightly off the table (scapular retraction) to feel the middle fibres contract between the scapula and the spine.
  4. Trace the lower fibres diagonally from the spine of the scapula down towards T12.

Landmarks: C7 spinous process

The trapezius is often the first muscle a massage student palpates: it is superficial, easy to find, and commonly holds tension in the upper fibres. It is the main target of Effleurage in a back, neck and shoulder routine.

Its three fibre groups have different, sometimes opposing, actions. Learn them separately. The upper fibres elevate the scapula and the lower fibres depress it, but both upwardly rotate it.

Techniques

  • Effleurage — Long, gliding strokes with the whole palm that spread the medium, warm the tissue and link the other strokes together.

Used in routines

Sources

  1. OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology 2e, 11.5 Muscles of the Pectoral Girdle and Upper Limbs