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The Spinal Muscles: An Extensive Guide

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The spinal muscles and ligaments work in conjunction to help support the spine, maintain an upright posture, and control movements during activity and rest. The muscles are named based on shape, location, or a combination. Further categorization factors include muscle functions like flexion, extension, or rotation. Skeletal muscle is a form of striated muscle tissue that is voluntarily controlled by the somatic nervous system. Striated means it is striped in appearance. Most skeletal muscles are attached to bones by collagen fibers known as tendons.

Vertebral Muscle TypesLocation
Forward flexorsAnterior
Lateral flexorsLateral
RotatorsLateral
ExtensorsPosterior
11860 Vista Del Sol, Ste. 128 The Spinal Muscles: An Extensive Guide

It has the fastest contraction rate of all muscles. Before muscle/s contract, a nerve impulse starts in the brain and runs through the spinal cord to the muscle. For the muscles to contract and work properly they need energy/fuel. Mitochondria produce Adenosine triphosphate chemical cells that are needed for energy. Adenosine triphosphate is made as the mitochondria burn glucose or sugar. The blood vessels deliver the oxygen and nutrients that the mitochondria need to maintain a steady supply of adenosine triphosphate.

The Posterior Cervical and Upper Thoracic Spinal Muscles

  1. Semispinalis Capitus – controls the head rotation and backward pulls
  2. Iliocostalis Cervicis – extends the cervical vertebrae
  3. The Longissimus Cervicus – extends the cervical vertebrae
  4. Longissimus Capitus – controls the head’s rotation and backward pulls
  5. Longissimus Thoracis – controls the extension/lateral flexion of the vertebral column and rib rotation
  6. Iliocostalis Thoracis – controls the extension/lateral flexion of the vertebral column and rib rotation
  7. Semispinalis Thoracis – extends and rotates the vertebral column

Muscles of the Spinal Column

Cervical muscles

Cervical MusclesFunctionNerve
SternocleidomastoidExtends, rotates the head and flexes vertebral columnC2, C3
ScalenusFlexes and rotates the neckLower cervical
Spinalis CervicisExtends and rotates the headMiddle/lower cervical
Spinalis CapitusExtends and rotates the headMiddle/lower cervical
Semispinalis CervicisExtends and rotates the vertebral columnMiddle/lower cervical
Semispinalis CapitusRotates the head and pulls backwardC1-C5
Splenius CervicisExtends the vertebral columnMiddle/lower cervical
Longus Colli CervicisFlexes the cervical vertebraeC2-C7
Longus CapitusFlexes the headC1-C3
Rectus Capitus AnteriorFlexes the headC2, C3
Rectus Capitus LateralisBends the head laterallyC2, C3
Iliocostalis CervicisExtends the cervical vertebraeMiddle/lower cervical
Longissimus CervicisExtends the cervical vertebraeMiddle/lower cervical
Longissimus CapitusRotates the head and pulls backwardMiddle/lower cervical
Rectus Capitus Posterior MajorExtends and rotates the headSuboccipital
Rectus Capitus Posterior MinorExtends the headSuboccipital
Obliquus Capitus InferiorRotates the atlasSuboccipital
Obliquus Capitus SuperiorExtends and bends the head laterallySuboccipital
CervicalMusculatureDiagram ChiropractorElPaso

Thoracic Muscles

Thoracic musclesFunctionNerve
Longissimus ThoracisExtension, lateral flexion of the vertebral column and rib rotationDorsal primary divisions of the spinal nerves
Iliocostalis ThoracisExtension, lateral flexion of the vertebral column, and rib rotationDorsal primary divisions of the spinal nerves
Spinalis ThoracisExtends the vertebral columnDorsal primary divisions of the spinal nerves
Semispinalis ThoracisExtends and rotates the vertebral columnDorsal primary divisions of the spinal nerves
Rotatores ThoracisExtends and rotates the vertebral columnDorsal primary divisions of the spinal nerves
11860 Vista Del Sol, Ste. 128 The Spinal Muscles: An Extensive Guide

Lumbar muscles

Lumbar musclesFunctionNerve
Psoas MajorFlexes the thigh at the hip joint and the vertebral columnL2, L3, sometimes L1 or L4
Intertransversarii LateralisLateral flexion of the vertebral columnVentral primary division of the spinal nerves
Quadratus LumborumLateral flexion of the vertebral columnT12, L1
InterspinalesExtends the vertebral columnDorsal primary divisions of the spinal nerves
Intertransversarii MedialesLateral flexion of the vertebral columnDorsal primary divisions of the spinal nerves
MultifidusExtends and rotates the vertebral columnDorsal primary divisions of the spinal nerves
Longissimus LumborumExtends and rotates the vertebral columnDorsal primary divisions of the spinal nerves
Iliocostalis LumborumExtension, lateral flexion of the vertebral column, and rib rotationDorsal primary divisions of the spinal nerves
Blog Image  Psoas Muscle

Muscle Fascia Fibrous Tissue

  • Fascia is the thickened connective tissue that surrounds a muscle or muscle group. Superficial fascia is directly under the skin.
  • Epimysium surrounds the skeletal muscle.
  • Perimysium is the sheath that groups the muscle fibers into bundles.
  • Endomysium is another type of connective tissue that sheaths each muscle fiber.

The cause of back pain and spinal muscle spasm/s can be caused by overuse, automobile accident, personal, work, or sports injury. The root cause of muscle spasm/s is usually a consequence of an injury to a structure within the lumbar spine. If there have been one or more episodes of muscle spasm in the low back, chances are it will re-occur. The muscles in the low back work together with the abdominal muscles. The spinal muscles add stability by maintaining an erect spine and maintain balance.

Chiropractic Lower Back Pain Treatment

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The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, and sensitive health issues and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate and support directly or indirectly our clinical scope of practice.*

Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation as to how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. The provider(s) Licensed in Texas& New Mexico*

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Professional Scope of Practice *

The information herein on "The Spinal Muscles: An Extensive Guide" is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.

Blog Information & Scope Discussions

Our information scope is limited to Chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somatovisceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.

We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.*

Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.

We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, or contact us at 915-850-0900.

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Blessings

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN*, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*

email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com

Licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) in Texas & New Mexico*
Texas DC License # TX5807, New Mexico DC License # NM-DC2182

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License Compact Status: Multi-State License: Authorized to Practice in 40 States*
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Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN* CIFM*, IFMCP*, ATN*, CCST
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