The trapezius muscle is the large triangle-shaped muscle that originates at the base of the neck, extends across to the shoulder blades and connects to the lower thoracic vertebrae in the middle of the back. It is involved in neck and head...
The thoracic spine extends from the shoulders to the upper abdomen and articulates with the ribs and shoulders. It consists of 12 vertebrae separated by cartilaginous discs that serve as shock absorbers and facilitate movement between the...
Nerve tension in your spine can occur in any part of your back. Bulging or degenerative discs that affect the spinal canal are the most common causes of nerve tension, and can cause significant discomfort, numbness and loss of function. Depending...
The trapezius muscles, or traps, are undoubtedly one of the tougher muscles to train, due to their relatively low usage and awkward positioning. This is unfortunate, as large traps are typically a sign of superior muscular development. Although...
A burst fracture is a fracture of the vertebrae that can result in compromise to the spinal cord due to traumatic compression of the spine. The fracture can involve a "retropulsion" of bone into the spinal canal, leading to neurologic deficits...
Five small bones at the very bottom of your spine may become painful after prolonged exercise on a stationary bicycle. Your coccyx, or tailbone, is not always in a comfortable position on a small seat of an exercise bike. Doctors do not have a way...
A lat pulldown machine consists of a long bar suspended by a cord that is attached to a stack of weights, and a chair positioned directly under the bar. Sit upright on the chair and extend your arms overhead to grasp the bar with your hands wider...
The T6 vertebra is in the thoracic, or middle, part of your spine. Twelve vertebrae make up the thoracic spine; they are numbered from the top down. The muscles that connect to the T6 vertebra are the spinalis, a lower back muscle, and the...
Pullups are a powerful compound exercise that works several muscles of the upper body at once. This exercise requires a certain amount of strength. If you lack that strength, try using a pullup machine that assists you with the upward movement. If...
Paraplegia is paralysis of the lower extremities and trunk. Paraplegia occurs because of an injury to the spinal cord at the level of the first thoracic vertebrae or lower. Paraplegics typically experience a severe drop in muscle mass after injury...
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....
The cervical, thoracic and lower lumbar regions of the body function as an interdependent system. Pain or injury in one part of the spine may cause a referred injury or pain in another. When treating neck, upper back or lower lumbar pain with...
Back exercises are classified either as horizontal or vertical pulling movements. You either pull weights toward you horizontally from the front as in a row, or pull the weight vertically down across your body. Figuring out which exercise is best...
The spine functions to provide structure and support to the body while allowing for flexibility. The University of Maryland Medical Center describes the spine as consisting of 24 vertebrae stacked upon each other; the top seven are known as the...
The spine is divided into three sections; the cervical spine, the thoracic spine and the lumbar spine. These divisions represent the neck, middle back and lower back respectively. The thoracic spine has 12 spinal vertebrae. These levels are...
If you have experienced a spinal cord injury, you may benefit from exercises and therapies suggested by your doctor and a physical therapist. Injuries to the spine may cause pain along with reduced function, range-of-motion, flexibility and...
The thoracolumbar portion of your spinal column runs from 11th vertebrae in your mid-back area, known as the thoracic region, to the third vertebrae in your lower back, or lumbar, area. In other words, your thoracolumbar region connects your...
Your two longus colli muscles are located deep in the anterior -- or front -- part of your neck, on both sides of your spine. They attach to the lower cervical and upper thoracic vertebra. There are many functions that these muscles perform, like...
Your traps, or trapezius muscles, lie on the upper and middle portion of your back. The trapezius muscle has three portions: upper, lower and middle. The upper traps start at the top of the neck and extend down to attach to the lateral portion of...
The trapezius is a large, broad muscle that extends from the lower part of the thoracic spine into the base of your skull and to the sides of your shoulder blades. The lower trapezius refers to the lower region of the muscle at the last vertebra...
The lumbar portion of the lower back refers to the bottom area the spine. The lumbar vertebrae consist of five discs that are sandwiched between the sacrum (pelvis) and the thoracic spinal vertebra of the middle back. The lower back is exercised...