Body Maintenance Massage

📚Muscle Monday📚
💥Erector Spinae Group💥
*Spinalis
*Longissimus
*Iliocostalis

The Erector Spinae Group runs from the sacrum to the occiput along the posterior aspect of the vertebral column. It’s musculature has a dense, layered arrangement that can be difficult to visualize. It might simplify matters if you imagine your Erector Spinae muscles as a tall poplar tree with three main branches- the Spinalis, Longissimus and Iliocostalis. These branches can then be subdivided into numerous, smaller branches such as Spinalis Thoracis, Longissimus Capitis, Iliocostalis Lumborum and more.
In the lumbar region, the Erectors lie deep to the thin but dense thoracolumbar aponeurosis. In the Thoracic and Cervical areas, they are deep to the Trapezius, the Rhomboids and the Serratus Posterior Superior and Inferior. As a group, the Erectors are easily palpated along the entire length of the back and neck; locating a specific branch of the Erectors, however, can be challenging.

💥Erector Spinae Group💥
▶️Action
Unilaterally
*Laterally flex vertebral column to the same side

Bilaterally
*Extend the vertebral column

↔️Origin
*Common tendon (thoracolumbar Aponeurosis) that attaches to the posterior surface of the sacrum, iliac crest, spinous processes of the lumbar and last two thoracic vertebrae

↔️Insertion
*Various attachments at the posterior ribs, spinous and transverse processes of the thoracic and cervical vertebrae and mastoid process of the temporal bone

This week we are looking at💥Iliocostalis💥
The lateral Iliocostalis and (thick Longissimus) form a visible mound alongside the lumbar and thoracic spine. The upper fibres of Longissimus and Iliocostalis muscles assist in extension, lateral flexion and rotation of the head and neck to the same side. The long tendons of Iliocostalis extend laterally beneath the scapula

↔️Origin
*Common tendon (Lumborum)
*Posterior surface of ribs 1-12 (thoracis and cervicis)

↔️Insertion
*Transverse processes of lumbar vertebrae 1-3 and posterior surface of ribs 6-12 (Lumborum)
*Posterior surface of ribs 1-6 (thoracis)
*Transverse processes of lower cervicals (cervicis)


*Trail Guide to the Body, Andrew Biel

This infographic outlines the benefits of massage therapy for conditions impacting the head and neck. This includes the benefits of massage therapy to relieve headaches and concussion symptoms as well as help people with temporomandibular disorders or neck pain find relief.

Log in and access the RMTAO resource library to view references supporting this infographic and to search for other infographics.

Access the resource library: https://rmtao.com/resources/library

📚Muscle Monday📚
💥Erector Spinae Group💥
Spinalis
Longissimus
Iliocostalis

The Erector Spinae Group runs from the sacrum to the occiput along the posterior aspect of the vertebral column. It’s musculature has a dense, layered arrangement that can be difficult to visualize. It might simplify matters if you imagine your Erector Spinae muscles as a tall poplar tree with three main branches- the Spinalis, Longissimus and Iliocostalis. These branches can then be subdivided into numerous, smaller branches such as Spinalis Thoracis, Longissimus Capitis, Iliocostalis Lumborum and more.
In the lumbar region, the Erectors lie deep to the thin but dense thoracolumbar aponeurosis. In the Thoracic and Cervical areas, they are deep to the Trapezius, the Rhomboids and the Serratus Posterior Superior and Inferior. As a group, the Erectors are easily palpated along the entire length of the back and neck; locating a specific branch of the Erectors, however, can be challenging.

💥Erector Spinae Group💥
▶️Action
Unilaterally
•Laterally flex vertebral column to the same side

Bilaterally
•Extend the vertebral column

↔️Origin
•Common tendon (thoracolumbar Aponeurosis) that attaches to the posterior surface of the sacrum, iliac crest, spinous processes of the lumbar and last two thoracic vertebrae

↔️Insertion
•Various attachments at the posterior ribs, spinous and transverse processes of the thoracic and cervical vertebrae and mastoid process of the temporal bone

This week we are looking at💥Longissimus💥
The thick Longissimus and lateral Iliocostalis form a visible mound alongside the lumbar and thoracic spine. The upper fibres of Longissimus and Iliocostalis muscles assist in extension, lateral flexion and rotation of the head and neck to the same side

↔️Origin
•Common tendon (thoracis)
•Transverse processes of upper five thoracic vertebrae (cervicis and capitis)

↔️Insertion
•Lower nine ribs and transverse processes of thoracic vertebrae (thoracis)
•Transverse processes of cervical vertebrae (cervicis)
•Mastoid process of temporal bone (capitis)


*Trail Guide to the Body, Andrew Biel

📚Muscle Monday📚
💥Erector Spinae Group💥
•Spinalis
•Longissimus
•Iliocostalis

The Erector Spinae Group runs from the sacrum to the occiput along the posterior aspect of the vertebral column. It’s musculature has a dense, layered arrangement that can be difficult to visualize. It might simplify matters if you imagine your Erector Spinae muscles as a tall poplar tree with three main branches- the Spinalis, Longissimus and Iliocostalis. These branches can then be subdivided into numerous, smaller branches such as Spinalis Thoracis, Longissimus Capitis, Iliocostalis Lumborum and more.
In the lumbar region, the Erectors lie deep to the thin but dense thoracolumbar aponeurosis. In the Thoracic and Cervical areas, they are deep to the Trapezius, the Rhomboids and the Serratus Posterior Superior and Inferior. As a group, the Erectors are easily palpated along the entire length of the back and neck; locating a specific branch of the Erectors, however, can be challenging.

💥Erector Spinae Group💥
▶️Action
Unilaterally
•Laterally flex vertebral column to the same side

Bilaterally
•Extend the vertebral column

↔️Origin
•Common tendon (thoracolumbar Aponeurosis) that attaches to the posterior surface of the sacrum, iliac crest, spinous processes of the lumbar and last two thoracic vertebrae

↔️Insertion
•Various attachments at the posterior ribs, spinous and transverse processes of the thoracic and cervical vertebrae and mastoid process of the temporal bone

This week we are looking at💥Spinalis💥
The Spinalis is the smallest of the three muscles and lies closest to the spine in the lamina groove

↔️Origin
•Spinous processes of the upper lumbar and lower thoracic vertebrae (thoracis)
•Ligamentum nuchae, spinous process of C7 (cervicis)

↔️Insertion
•Spinous processes of upper thoracic (thoracis)
•Spinous processes of cervicals, except C1 (cervicis)


*Trail Guide to the Body, Andrew Biel

💥New Office Hours Available At Body Maintenance Massage💥

•Monday 9:00am - 9:00pm
•Tuesday 9:00am - 9:00pm
•Wednesday CLOSED
•Thursday 9:00am - 9:00pm
•Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm
•Saturday 9:00am - 3:30pm
•Sunday CLOSED

Appointments Outside Of Regular Business Hours Available Upon Request

📚Muscle Monday📚
💥Abdominals💥
📸The four abdominal muscles are called Re**us Abdominis, External Oblique, Internal Oblique, and Transverse Abdominis

The abdominal muscles expand far beyond the “stomach” region. In fact, they form a muscular girdle that reaches around the sides of the thorax to the thoracolumbar aponeurosis, superiorly to the middle ribs and inferiorly to the inguinal ligament. The immense span of these muscles, with its unique overlapping arrangement in varying fibre direction, helps to stabilize the entire abdominal region

The organs of the upper thorax are protected by the rib cage while the viscera of the lower thorax rely on the four abdominal muscles for support and protection. The four abdominal muscles wrap the entire abdomen in vertical, horizontal and diagonal directions, in the same way packing tape is wrapped around the box going for a long journey

When do you use your Abs?
•A sit up (flexion)
•A Navy Seal sit-up (flexion with rotation)
•Sitting up in bed and reaching over for the alarm clock (flexion, rotation)
•Coughing, vomiting, defecating (hopefully not at the same time)

This week we are looking at the
💥Transverse Abdominis💥

The Transverse Abdominis, the deepest muscle of the group, plays a major role in forced exhalation

▶️Action
•Compress abdominal contents

↔️Origin
•Lateral inguinal ligament, iliac crest, thoracolumbar fascia and internal surface of the lower six ribs

↔️Insertion
•Abdominal aponeurosis to linea alba

💥Bonus Muscle - Pyramidalis💥

Located superficial to the Re**us Abdominis, this small muscle is absent in roughly 20% of the population

▶️Action
•Tenses the linea alba

↔️Origin
•Pubic symphysis

↔️Insertion
•Linea alba


*Trail Guide to the Body, Andrew Biel

📚Muscle Monday📚
💥Abdominals💥
📸The four abdominal muscles are called Re**us Abdominis, External Oblique, Internal Oblique, and Transverse Abdominis

The abdominal muscles expand far beyond the “stomach” region. In fact, they form a muscular girdle that reaches around the sides of the thorax to the thoracolumbar aponeurosis, superiorly to the middle ribs and inferiorly to the inguinal ligament. The immense span of these muscles, with its unique overlapping arrangement in varying fibre direction, helps to stabilize the entire abdominal region

The organs of the upper thorax are protected by the rib cage while the viscera of the lower thorax rely on the four abdominal muscles for support and protection. The four abdominal muscles wrap the entire abdomen in vertical, horizontal and diagonal directions, in the same way packing tape is wrapped around the box going for a long journey

This week we are looking at the
💥Internal Oblique💥

The thin Internal Oblique fibres are deep and perpendicular to the External Oblique fibres (last weeks post) and can be difficult to distinguish

▶️Action
Unilaterally
•Laterally flex vertebral column to the same side
•Rotate vertebral column to the same side
Bilaterally
•Flex the vertebral column
•Compress abdominal contents

↔️Origin
•Lateral inguinal ligament, iliac crest and thoracolumbar fascia

↔️Insertion
•Internal surface of the lower three ribs, abdominal aponeurosis to lines alba


*Trail Guide to the Body, Andrew Biel

This infographic outlines how massage therapy can be beneficial for people with mental health concerns. This includes relieving the physical symptoms of mental illnesses, the impact of anxiety on pain experience, and the benefits of massage therapy for people who experience anxiety as a result of specific situations or conditions.

You can view this infographic and the references to support it when you log in and access the RMTAO resource library. Access the resource library: https://rmtao.com/resources/library

📚Muscle Monday📚
💥Abdominals💥
📸The four abdominal muscles are called Re**us Abdominis, External Oblique, Internal Oblique, and Transverse Abdominis

The abdominal muscles expand far beyond the “stomach” region. In fact, they form a muscular girdle that reaches around the sides of the thorax to the thoracolumbar aponeurosis, superiorly to the middle ribs and inferiorly to the inguinal ligament. The immense span of these muscles, with its unique overlapping arrangement in varying fibre direction, helps to stabilize the entire abdominal region

The organs of the upper thorax are protected by the rib cage while the viscera of the lower thorax rely on the four abdominal muscles for support and protection. The four abdominal muscles wrap the entire abdomen in vertical, horizontal and diagonal directions, in the same way packing tape is wrapped around the box going for a long journey

This week we are looking at the
💥External Oblique💥

Lateral to the Re**us Abdominis (last weeks post) is the External Oblique. Unlike the round bellies of the Re**us Abdominis, the External Oblique is a broad, superficial muscle best palpated at its attachments to the lower ribs

▶️Action
Unilaterally
•Laterally flex vertebral column to the same side
•Rotate vertebral column to the opposite side
Bilaterally
•Flex the vertebral column
•Compress abdominal contents

↔️Origin
•External surfaces of 5th to 12th ribs

↔️Insertion
•Anterior part of the iliac crest, abdominal aponeurosis to linea alba


*Trail Guide to the Body, Andrew Biel