Skeletal muscles are the only voluntary muscles in the body. In order for muscles to contract, they must get instructions from the nerves. If a nerve suffers damage, communication between nerve and muscle is impaired and the muscle atrophies....
Strengthening your neck muscles can be a simple task. Neck exercises can be done anywhere and all you need is your hand to act as resistance. You may also use a resistance band, sometimes called a Thera-Band or exercise band. Work the front, back...
The neck can suffer a variety of ailments, including muscle strains, joint strains, fractures, nerve damage and arthritis. Neck extension exercises help to strength your neck and counteract the pain felt from everyday use. There are eight muscles...
Your erector spinae is a group of three column-like muscles that run to either side of your spine. Together your iliocastalis, longissimus and spinalis work to extend, rotate and laterally flex your torso. They also stabilize your spine,...
Poor posture can cause a forward head postural deficiency, which is where the chin juts forward and tilts down. The normal curve of the neck is compromised from a forward head. The vertebrae in the neck get closer together to change the shape of...
Most people, when in front of a computer or TV screen, will move their head forward. In an article titled "Exercises help some posture problems" on the University of Texas Health Science Center website, then-associate professor of physical therapy...
The erector spinae muscle group, which includes the spinalis, longissimus and iliocostalis muscles, is located within your back and works to extend, rotate, side bend and support your spine. Strengthening these muscles is essential for general...
Your upper back holds your latissimus dorsi--the largest muscle in the back--as well as your trapezius, which have a triangular shape. The erector spinae is a group of muscles that run along your spine and support it. The longissimus, the spinalis...
The torso and shoulder are comprised of a complex series of muscles that provide a vast amount of physical mobility. Your torso muscles help support your mid and lower back, and your shoulder muscles are designed to stabilize your arms while...
There are three major muscle fibers that make up the erector spinae, or muscle that lines and supports the spinal column: the iliocastalis, longissimus and spinalis. For functional movements, correct posture and lower back strength it is important...
Imagine supporting a 12- to 15-lb. dumbbell between your shoulders. According to Paul Chek of the Corrective High-performance Exercise Kinesiology Institute, your head weighs about 8 percent of your body weight. Prevent impingement of your nerves...
The lower back muscles include the erector spinae muscles. There are three heads of this muscle group that include the iliocostalis, longissimus and spinalis. The actions include the extending and rotating the spine, as well as laterally flexing...
According to the American Chiropractic Association, Americans spend at least 50 billion dollars per year on back pain. Most back pain is mechanical and not caused by serious conditions, such as arthritis or fracture. If not used often, your back...
Training the muscles of the upper neck improves posture and increases protection of the neck and spine. This is of utmost importance for contact-sport athletes, such as football players and mixed martial artists. Several muscles make up the neck,...
Rowing exercises, which mimic the motions that your body makes to row a boat, train the muscles of your shoulders and back, especially those that act on the scapula bones of your upper back. Learning how each muscle works when you perform specific...
The deadlift is a strength exercise that works several muscle groups, including your back, glutes and legs. It is one of only a handful of exercises that target muscles in the upper and lower body. Performing a deadlift with good form is...
The lower-back muscle group, or erector spinae, consists of three parts: the iliocostalis, longissimus and spinalis heads. The muscle functions to extend the spine. The lower back can be strengthened by performing exercises with weights such as...
If you have osteoporosis, you may think that exercising is not healthy for you. In fact, MayoClinic.com recommends exercise to help reduce the risk of spinal problems and broken bones. People who exercise tend to have stronger bones, as well as...
The mid back contains a strip of muscles that start by the neck and run vertically to the sacrum. Known cumulatively as the erector spinae, these muscles include the iliocostalis, longissimus and spinalis. Exercises to strengthen the lower part of...
The erector spinae is a group of long back muscles that run from the lower thoracic spine into the top of the thoracic spine. It consists of the iliocostalis, longissimus and spinalis, which work together with other back muscles to move your torso...
Normal back extension and hyperextension movements use muscles in your back to lift your torso. During back extension, you lift your torso from a bentover position until you stand perfectly straight. When you hyperextend your back, you move your...
Lower back extensions involve raising your upper body and extending the back while lying on the ground. These exercises strengthen lower back muscles, as well as abdomen muscles that promote spine health and proper posture. Several muscles...
The muscles that are worked when you do back extension is dependent on whether you use an exercise machine, what type of machine you use and whether the back extension is done in a seated position or while standing. The upright, seated back...
Good posture is a combination of balanced strength and flexibility in the skeletal muscles, enabling people to walk, sit or stand in a graceful manner. Conscious activation of the postural muscles is important, especially when sitting or standing...
Although often referred to as the low back muscles, the erector spinae muscles actually run from your neck, down your spine to your tailbone. But they are involved in movement of the low back, mainly extension of the spine. Three types of...
Weak muscles near the spine lead to an inability to stabilize the lower back. When the lower back is unstable, even every day activities like picking up objects can lead to lower back pain from tissue irritation or injury when the spine buckles....
The cervical spine is the top portion of the spine in the back in the neck. Muscles of the neck, including the suboccipital, longus capitis, colli, multifidi, semispinalis cervicis and longissimus cervicis, stabilize the neck. The upper back and...
Your muscle groups are collections of muscles found in various parts of your body, including your legs, arms, chest, back, hips and abdomen. Commonly accepted physical activity guidelines recommend that you work all of these groups twice every...
The squat is a classic, multi-joint exercise that targets a variety of muscle groups throughout your body, emphasizing those that extend your hip and knee joints. There are many variations, but the most popular may be the parallel back squat,...
In hot stone massage, line up the stones along the spine and cover to retain heat. Practice hot stone massage therapy with this free massage video.
