BACK AND NECK MUSCLES

• The muscles of the back are built up in layers around the skeleton. These muscles are involved with stabilizing and moving the torso.

• The smaller muscles are mainly concerned with postural adjustment. Layered over these are the larger muscles,  which are involved with controlling movement.

• Muscles usually function in pairs: when a muscle contracts, the opposite muscle relaxes.

The stabilizers

    Close to the joints between the vertebrae are clusters of small muscles that contract to allow for subtle alterations of movement. These muscles are known as the stabilizers because of their central role in controlling the positioning of the spine.

The mobilizers

    These long, strong muscles are superficially visible and control the major movements of the trunk. At the back are the erector spinae (“spine raisers”) muscles. They lengthen when you bend over and contract strongly on straightening, exerting a significant compressive force on the spine. Across the front and sides of the body are abdominal muscles that help support your spine by maintaining the pressure inside the abdomen and chest.

   when a weightlifter holds his breath before attempting to lift a heavy-weight, he is tensing his abdominal muscles. The transversus abdominis (the deepest layer) works almost continually to assist in performing everyday activities.