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Muscle, straightening the spine and back pain
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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The muscle that straightens the spine is m. Erector spinae
- M. Iliocostalis
- M. Iliocostalis lumborum
Beginning: Crista iliaca, Crista sacralis lateralis, Aponeurosis lumbalis
Attachment: corners of VI-IX underlying ribs
M. Iliocostals thoracis
Beginning: corners of XII - VII ribs
Attachment: corners of V-VI overlying ribs
M. Iliocostalis cervicis
Beginning: corners of the VI - III ribs
Attachment: posterior tubercles of transverse processes of VI - IV (III) cervical vertebrae
M. Longissimus
- M. Longissimus lumborum:
Beginning: Crista sacralis lateralis, Crista iliaca
Attachment: side beams: Procc. Costarii of the lumbar vertebrae, a deep leaf Aponeurosis lumbalis, medial bundles: Procc. Accessorii lumbar vertebrae
- M. Longissimus thoracis:
Beginning: spinous processes of sacral, lumbar and lower thoracic vertebrae; additional bundles from the transverse processes of the lower 6 or 7 thoracic vertebrae, Proc. Mamillaris I or II lumbar vertebra
Attachment: lateral bundles - corners of XII - II ribs; medial fascicles - transverse processes of all thoracic vertebrae
- M. Longisimus cervicis:
Beginning: transverse processes of the upper 4-6 thoracic vertebrae and I lower cervical vertebrae
Attachment: transverse processes of V - II (I) cervical vertebrae
- M. Longissimus capitis:
Beginning: transverse processes of the upper thoracic vertebrae and lower cervical vertebrae
Attachment: Proc. Mastoideus of the temporal bone
Innervation: from the posterior branches of the spinal nerves of segments C6-L3.
Diagnostics
The patient is laid on a healthy side in a comfortable, relaxed pose with a pillow under his stomach.
Muscles of the back should be moderately stretched, which allows us to identify strained thickenings containing trigger zones. The degree of their stretching is regulated by pulling the knees to the chest. With superficial palpation, areas of soreness and, often, reflected pain are determined.
[Reflected pain
The pattern of reflected pain from the trigger zones located in the ilio-rib muscle at the medial thoracic level extends to the shoulder and laterally along the thoracic wall. Trigger zones located in the ilio-rib muscle at the lower thoracic level can reflect pain upwards across the scapula and onto the anterior abdominal wall, and also down to the waist. Pain reflected anteriorly, can be taken for visceral. From the trigger zones of the ileal-rib muscle at the upper lumbar level, the pain irradiates clearly down to the center of the buttock and the posterior surface of the thigh. Trigger zones, localized in the lower thoracic region of the longest muscle of the back, reflect pain in the buttock. This remote source of gluteal pain is often ignored.