The emphasis of this article is on the importance of the naming of muscles, highlighted by the fact that the obliquus capitis inferior (OCI) is misnamed. However, the OCI is an important muscle in its own right. Given the prevalence of locked-short musculature in the posterior neck, especially in the supoccipital (upper neck) region, the OCI is extremely important clinically.
Motions of the Cervical Spine
Table 1 shows average healthy ranges of axial motion of the cervical spine (head and neck), from the atlanto-occipital joint through the C7-T1 joint.
Rectus Capitis Posterior Major Suboccipital Muscle and Tension Headaches
The rectus capitis posterior major (RCPMaj) of the suboccipital group musculature is a small muscle located deep in the superior aspect of the posterior neck, directly inferior to the occiput (hence the name suboccipital). It is an extremely important muscle to know and be able to assess and treat because it is often responsible for clients’ tension headaches.
Deep Pressure Massage to the Low Back – Forward Head Posture
The neck and head do not contribute to the generation of pressure, so head and neck posture should be whatever is most comfortable and least stressful. Forward head posture, a common postural distortion imbalance pattern that occurs is caused by a flexion of the head and neck.




