Muscles Movement and Pilates
They intertwine and overlap, connecting to the ribs, pelvis, shoulder girdle, skull and the discrete processes on the vertebrae. There are tiny muscles that connect one vertebrae to the next, and others that span some vertebrae.
The muscles of the spine are grouped agreeing to function and location, and go by names such as the spelenius muscles (move the head), erector spinae (extend the spine), transversospinalis muscles (extend and rotate the spine), segmental muscles (extend and bend the spine to the side), and the scalene muscles (move the neck). The erector spinae, or spinal extensors, are often related with lower back pain and spasms.
Layered over these muscles are some that may be more familiar, namely the trapezius, rhomboids, and a lesser known one called the levator scapulae. These large back muscles move the shoulder girdle, which consists of your collarbones (clavicles) and shoulder blades (scapulae) and sits on top of your ribcage, basically connecting your arms to your torso. You probably recognize these bones, because they are fairly superficial or toward the exterior of your body, and its easy to see them and feel them move on most people.
How does this characterize to your spine, you ask? Well, your shoulder girdle is sort of just balanced on top of your ribcage, and the only thing retention it in place is the musculature. Poor posture and weak muscles allow the shoulder girdle to slide forward, taking the thoracic spine and head with it. Using the upper back muscles to hold the shoulder girdle in place also helps keep your spine in a neutral position - upright with only the natural curves related with each spinal region. In this respect, the large muscles of your upper back are determined postural withhold muscles and their compel helps protect you from getting back and neck discomfort.
Another set of muscles we don't ordinarily connect with our backs is the abdominal muscles. While these muscles are located clear colse to the other side of your body, they are foremost as both movers and supporters of your spine. You have four layers of abdominal muscles. The deepest layer is the transversus abdominis, which compresses or pulls the abdomen inward and connects to the lower spine for support. The next two layers are the internal and external obliques, which compress your abdomen, bend and rotate your spine. The outermost layer, the rectus abdominis, is what we see when someone has a "six pack" or very fit stomach muscles. The inner three muscles are the most foremost to health as they are the muscles which help stabilize/support the spine.
Together, the abdominal muscles bend your spine forward, lean it sideways, twist your torso and rotate it side to side. They also serve as a connection between your pelvis and your ribs, and when engaged properly can stabilize your pelvis to prevent immoderate arching of the lower back. Weak abdominal muscles often leads to low back pain but not just any sit-up will do. Exercises such performed in Pilates workouts address the deep three layers in such a way as to health them for postural withhold and back injury prevention.
Once you understand the basic buildings and function of your spine and core muscles, you can work on achieving good posture, and a strong and salutary back!
References
Kapit, W., and Elson, L.M., The Anatomy Coloring Book. New York: Harper Collins, 1977.
Tortora, G. Law of Human Anatomy, fifth edition. New York: Harper & Row, 1989.
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