Trigger Point Therapy - Posterior Cervical Muscles
Trigger Point Therapy - Torsional Release Technique (Seated)
Posterior Cervical Muscles - Important Trigger Points for Treating Common Head and Neck Pain
[Latin longissimus, longest; capitis, of the head; semispinalis, half spinal; cervicis, of the neck]
Comprising: longissimus capitis, semispinalis capitis, and semispinalis cervicis.
Origin
Longissimus capitis: transverse processes of upper five thoracic vertebrae (T1–T5). Articular processes of lower three cervical vertebrae (C5–C7).
Semispinalis cervicis: transverse processes of upper ve or six thoracic vertebrae (T1–T6). Semispinalis capitis: transverse processes of lower four cervical and upper six or seven thoracic vertebrae (C4–T7).
Longissimus Capitis - Common Trigger Point Sites
Longissimus Capitis - Trigger Point Referred Pain Pattern
Insertion
Longissimus capitis: posterior part of mastoid process of temporal bone. Semispinalis cervicis: spinous processes 2nd to 5th cervical vertebrae (C2–C5).
Semispinalis capitis: between superior and inferior nuchal lines of occipital bone.
Action
Longissimus capitis: extends and rotates head. Helps maintain correct curvature of thoracic and cervical spine in the erect and sitting positions.
Semispinalis cervicis: extends thoracic and cervical parts of vertebral column. Assists rotation of thoracic and cervical vertebrae. Semispinalis capitis: most powerful extensor of the head. Assists in rotation of head.
Nerve
Longissimus capitis: dorsal rami of middle and lower cervical nerves. Semispinalis cervicis: dorsal rami of thoracic and cervical nerves. Semispinalis capitis: dorsal rami of cervical nerves.
Basic Functional Movement
Longissimus capitis: keeps upper back straight (with correct curvatures).
Semispinalis cervicis and capitis. Examples: looking up; turning head to look behind.
Semispinalis Capitis/Cervicis - Common Trigger Point Sites
Semispinalis Capitis (upper) Trigger Point Referred Pain Pattern
Semispinalis Capitis (middle) and Cervicis Trigger Point Referred Pain Pattern
Multifidus (mid cervical). Even though not mentioned here, this muscle runs up the spine as part of the erector spinae, and so is relevant as part of the posterior cervical muscles.
Trigger Point Referred Pain Patterns
Several areas along the fibers, all radiating superiorly into head and skull and toward frontal region.
Treatment Techniques
| Spray and Stretch | Yes |
| Dry Needling | Yes |
| Deep Stroking Massage | Yes |
| Compression | Yes |
| Muscle Energy Techniques | Yes |
| Positional Release | Yes |
| Wet Needling | Yes |
Indications
Headache, neck pain and stiffness, decreased cervical flexion, suboccipital pain, restricted neck rotation (often related to prolonged occupational positions), whiplash, pain using certain pillows, “burning” in scalp.
Causes
Poor posture, playing musical instruments, lying on front with head propped up, poor glasses, upper crossed pattern, kyphosis, scoliosis, wear and tear, cold drafts/ air conditioning, vertebral alignment issues, certain sports (e.g. archery), tight shirt/tie, depression.
Differential Diagnosis
Cervical mechanical dysfunction. Spondyloarthropathy of facets. Vertebral artery syndrome. Discopathy (cervical) 1st rib dysfunction. Polymyalgia rheumatica. Rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis. Ankylosing spondylitis (seronegative spondyloarthropathy). Paget’s disease. Psoriatic arthropathy.
Connections
Trapezius, erector spinae, temporalis, digastricus, infraspinatus, levator scapulae, SCM, splenius capitis/cervicis, suboccipital muscles, occipitalis, pectoralis major.
General Advice to Patients
Occupational ergonomics. Posture. Eyewear. Use of ergonomic pillows. Heat and stretch.
Links
Treating Whiplash - Torsional Release
Dry Needling for Trigger Points
Certify as a Trigger Point Therapist
About NAT Courses
As a manual therapist or exercise professional, there is only one way to expand your business - education!
Learning more skills increases the services that you offer and provides more opportunity for specialization.
Every NAT course is designed to build on what you already know, to empower you to treat more clients and grow your practice, with a minimal investment in time and money.
Help Desk
About Niel Asher Education
Niel Asher Education is a leading provider of distance learning and continued education courses.
Established in the United Kingdom in 1999, we provide course and distance learning material for therapists and other healthcare professionals in over 40 countries.
Our courses are accredited by over 90 professional associations and national accreditation institutions including the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB). Full details of all international course accreditations can be found on our website.
Printed course materials and other products offered on our websites are despatched worldwide from our 3 locations in the UK (London), USA (Pennsylvania) and Australia (Melbourne).
More About Us
NAMTPT AWARD
We are honored to have received the "Excellence in Education" Award from the National Association of Myofascial Trigger Point Therapists.
Since 1999 Niel Asher Education has won numerous awards for education and in particular for education and services provided in the field of trigger point therapy.
Read Full Article
Award Winning Instructors
Niel Asher Healthcare course instructors have won a host of prestigious awards including 2 lifetime achievement honorees - Stuart Hinds, Lifetime Achievement Honoree, AAMT, 2015, and Dr. Jonathan Kuttner, MD, Lifetime Achievement Honoree, NAMTPT, 2014.
Meet the Instructors
Accreditation
If you are a qualified/licensed manual therapist or exercise/fitness professional you can expand your credentials with NAT certification.
In addition to national accreditation for continued education, each course that we offer includes "NAT Learning Credits". By taking and completing courses you can accumulate NAT credits to qualify for NAT certification.
There are currently 3 levels of NAT certification. Certifying NAT is a valuable way to show your clients that you take continued education seriously, and to promote your skills and qualifications.
Most of our courses are accredited for CE/CPD/CPE. A full list of CE accreditations can be found by clicking on the link below.
About NAT Certification
Niel Asher Technique
Since 1999 the Niel Asher Technique for treating trigger points has been adopted by over 100,000 therapists worldwide, and has been applied to the treatment of a number of common musculoskeletal injuries.
The Niel Asher Technique for treating frozen shoulder was first introduced and published in 1997 and has been widely adopted by therapists and exercise professionals working within elite sports and athletics.
Read More
International Students
Most of our courses are available as either "Printed" or 'Download" editions, wherever you live. Internet connection is required to access online and downloadable material.
When you purchase a download edition, you receive immediate lifetime access to all course material. Course texts can be downloaded and printed if required.
When you purchase a "Printed" edition, you will also receive free access to the download edition.
We ship Worldwide from locations in the USA, UK, and Australia. Most items are despatched within 24 hours and shipping is FREE for all orders over US$50.
Shipping
Where to Start?
We offer a range of over 50 courses, presented by some of the worlds leading manual therapists. All courses are reviewed annually, and new courses are regularly added.
Our courses are modular, and designed to build on what you already know. For more information, please visit our "Where to Start?" page.
Start Here
This trigger point therapy blog is intended to be used for information purposes only and is not intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment or to substitute for a medical diagnosis and/or treatment rendered or prescribed by a physician or competent healthcare professional. This information is designed as educational material, but should not be taken as a recommendation for treatment of any particular person or patient. Always consult your physician if you think you need treatment or if you feel unwell.
The Gold Standard in Continuing Education and Online Training
Massage Therapy, Sports Massage, Strength and Conditioning, Stretching, Mobilisation and Manipulation, Cranio-Sacral Therapy, IMS Dry Needling, Acupuncture, Acupressure, Trigger Point Therapy, IASTM, Resistance Training, Bowen Therapy, Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy, Podiatry, Oncology Massage, Sports Nutrition, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Somatic Therapy, Prenatal Bodywork and Massage, Anatomy, Biomechanics, Clinical Reasoning, Pilates, and Yoga.
Multi-column
Continuing Education
Great courses at inflation-busting prices. You won't find better value anywhere.
NAT Diploma Courses
NAT Self-Paced Diploma courses are designed to help you boost your career.
Membership
Get unlimited access to all online CE/CPD courses, live events, webinars and more.
Best Selling Therapy Tools
Ask a Health Question or Start a Conversation
