Superficial anterior view of the muscles of the neck

Musculature of the Cervical Spine

To perform orthopedic manual therapy to the neck that is accurate and specific, we need to know the attachments and actions of the muscles of the neck.

Rhomboids Attachments, Functions, Palpation & Treatment

The rhomboids are unusually important to be assessed and appropriately treated because of their involvement in what is likely the most common postural distortion pattern in the human body, upper crossed syndrome.

The Pectoralis Minor. Permission Joseph E. Muscolino. The Muscular System Manual - The Skeletal Muscles of the Human Body, 4th ed. (Elsevier, 2017).

Six Causes of Shoulder Impingement Syndrome – Part 2

For scapular upward rotation to occur, scapular downward rotator musculature must lengthen. If scapular downward rotation muscles are tight, they might not be flexible enough to allow for scapular upward rotation, thereby causing shoulder impingement syndrome to occur.

Upper and Lower Crossed Syndromes. Permission Joseph E. Muscolino. Artwork: Giovanni Rimasti.

Thoracic Hyperkyphosis – The Critical Component of Upper Crossed Syndrome

For most of our clients who present with the postural distortion pattern known as upper crossed syndrome, it is important, perhaps absolutely necessary, to include thoracic spinal joint mobilization technique into extension as part of the treatment plan to address the thoracic hyperkyphosis.