Back pain is one of the most common complaints treated by remedial massage therapists, and other health professionals. Back pain could be caused simply by muscular imbalances or by more complex issues related to disc and vertebral, spinal cord, facet joint, ligament, inflammation and spinal canal problems to mention a few.

The back muscles are a complex set of muscles made up of three groups: superficial, intermediate, and deep back muscles. Some of the muscles are large and some are so small that they are hardly noticed. That is, until you “pull” one of them.

Back pain is due to strain on the muscles. The risk of strained back muscles can be reduced by learning what back muscles actually are and learning how to keep them strengthened and toned.

The superficial back muscles are the muscles closest to the outside of the body. This group works together to move the shoulders, arms, and neck.

From the Occipital Ridge and extending below the shoulder blades and out toward the shoulder, the Trapezius muscles (traps for short) works together with the Levator Scapulae (a neck muscle) to move the shoulders and neck.

These muscles also work in conjunction to bend and rotate the neck if the shoulder is held in a fixed position, or to raise the shoulder if the head is held in a fixed position.

The Trapezius muscle is one of the largest muscles in the body and pain from the it can refer to other parts of the body. Pain in the Trapezius muscle can be caused by tension, stress, extended periods seated or inactive, or simply lack of exercise.

The Rhomboid Minor and Major muscles connect the shoulders to the spinal column. These muscles work with the Trapezius muscle to raise, lower and rotate the shoulder. Long periods of repetitive movement of the arms can cause these muscles to ache.

The Latissimus Dorsi is the most powerful of the back muscles. The Latissimus Dorsi (lats for short) and literally the ‘broadest muscle of the back, covers much of the lower back, extending from the hip bone to a tendon that extends from the upper part of the humerus (upper arm bone).

The Latissimus Dorsi helps to extend and rotate the arms during exercises such as swimming, helps the Pectoral (pecs) and Abdominal muscles (abbs) to elevate the trunk during activities such as climbing, and helps the Serratus Posterior Inferior muscle to raise the lower ribs while breathing.

The group of intermediate back muscles work with the respiratory system. These muscles move the ribs during the breathing process. The Serratus Posterior Superior muscle is located behind the second to fifth ribs and is responsible for elevating the upper section of ribs.

The Serratus Posterior Inferior muscle is located behind the ninth to 12th ribs and is responsible for elevating the lower section of ribs.

The deep back muscles are the strongest group of back muscles and play an important part in keeping the body erect. This group of muscles work together with the abdominal muscles to keep the body erect and also to bend and rotate the head, neck and trunk.

The Erector Spinae is a deep muscle of the back and stems from a tendon attached to the crest of the sacrum… that part of the backbone at the level of the pelvis, formed of five fused vertebrae.

When it reaches the level of the small of the back, the erector divides into three columns, made up of three parts…. the spinalis most medially (next to the spine), the longissimus in the center, and iliocostalis laterally.

The spinalis is just next to the spine, and to work on this muscle you will need you use your fingertips or thumbs.

The longissimus is the main meat of the erector group, and is palpated as a taught rope half an inch lateral to the spine.

The muscle system extends the length of the back and its function is to straighten the back and to rotate it side to side. Because of it’s lateral position, a tight iliocostalis can bring a hip up, or bring the ribcage down toward the hip.

The Splenius Capitis is found in the back of the neck, connecting the base of the skull to the spine. This muscle extends and rotates the head. The Splenius Capitis can be irritated by activities such as holding the neck bent awkwardly for long periods of time during activities such as reading, star gazing, bird watching (the feathered type), sleeping with an incorrect pillow, in the breeze by an open window or fan or doing school work.

The Splenius Cervicis is extends from the base of the skull to the mid-spine region. This muscle works with the Splenius Capitis to extend and rotate the head.

The Iliocostalis Muscles are a group of muscles that consists of three sub-groups: The lower Iliocostalis extends from the upper part of the hip bone to the lower ribs. The middle Iliocostalis stretches from the lower ribs to the upper ribs… and the Iliocostalis Cervicis from upper ribs to the neck. These aid in movements of the spinal column such as bending backwards, bending to the side, and rotating movements involving the spine.

The Longissimus group are made up of the Longissimus Capitus, Longissimus Cervicis, and the Longissimus Thoracis. The Longissimus Capitus is in the upper region of the back and helps to keep the head erect and move it from side to side.

The Longissimus Cervicis is located in the mid section of the back near the spine and extends the spinal column when bending to the side. The Longissimus Thoracis is also located in the middle section of the back and helps with extension and flexion and rotation of the ribs.

The muscles of your back can have enormous effect on your physical health. It’s important to maintain healthy back muscles because they are the most important muscles associated with posture. Back problems can be responsible for adverse conditions in other areas of the body, including the neck, hips, arms, legs, along with the respiratory system.

The causes of back pain include injury can be due to incorrect lifting methods, sports injuries, obesity, carrying large backpacks or heavy handbags for long periods of time, sudden and repetitive movements, mental or emotional stress, extended periods seated and childbirth.

Your back muscles are important postural muscles that keep your body erect and pain from these can be relieved by remedial or deep tissue massage.

If you haven’t tried deep tissue massage therapy make a call today.  Arrange an appointment and experience the many benefits that deep tissue massage has to offer.  With any massage however, it’s advisable to wear comfortable underwear that’s not too tight.

Tags: Back ache, muscle spasms, remedial massage
Posted in Back Problems by Neil Case | No Comments »