Tag: Mid-Back Issues

Serratus Posterior Inferior

spi -- 2016
Serratus Posterior Inferior

Pictured above is the serratus posterior inferior (SPI). It is an important muscle to address because it tends to be tight and limit your ability to draw in a deep breath.

It is commonly overstretched and lacking proper mobility in persons with poor posture due to excessive rounding of the middle and lower back. 80% of all adults over 18 years of age have some form of back pain. If you aren't checking the SPI for excessive stiffness you are missing one of the most significant links to proper back function.

The muscles on the left are layered, showing how some of the muscles are covered by the others. All of the muscles are see-through so that you can appreciate the location and size of each muscle relative to the others.

Click here for a list of all the muscles.

Individual hip, lower back & thigh muscles you might be interested in: (any inactive links will be live soon)

The following muscle attaches across the middle & lower back to the bottom four ribs and the last two thoracic vertebrae and the top two lumbar vertebrae:

  1. Serratus Posterior Inferior

The following muscles attach across the hip & lower back, or to the hip from above (the spine and/or ribs) or below (the thigh).
Click the appropriate link for your interest.

Click here to see the hip flexors as a muscle group.

Click here to see the adductors as a group.

Muscle that crosses the hip/lower back joint and crosses the hip/thigh joint. (attaches to the spine and the femur)

  1. Psoas


Muscles that attach to the hip and the spine and/or ribs

  1. Rectus Abdominus
  2. External Abdominal Oblique
  3. Internal Abdominal Oblique
  4. Transverse Abdominus
  5. Latissimus Dorsi
  6. Iliocostalis Lumborum
  7. Longissimus Thoracis
  8. Quadratus Lumborum
  9. Multifidi


Muscles that attach to the hip and the thigh bone (femur)

  1. Iliacus
  2. Adductor Magnus
  3. Adductor Longus
  4. Adductor Brevis
  5. Pectineus
  6. Gluteus Maximus
  7. Gluteus Medius
  8. Gluteus Minimus
  9. Piriformis
  10. Superior Gemellus
  11. Obturator Internus
  12. Inferior Gemellus
  13. Obturator Externus
  14. Quadratus Femoris

Good luck working out those tight knots.

If you have any questions, please post a comment. We try to respond within 24 hours.

We're here to help you get more out of your training!

T-Spine Roll

tspine-roll-1a--gallery
11th Secondary -- T-Spine Roll
Use this SMR exercise AFTER the Lats Roll.

This SMR exercise is to address the multiple layers of knots & adhesions in your upper and mid-back.

If you have tightness or discomfort in your shoulders, deep dull aches in your upper or mid back, or general shoulder & neck issues, then this exercise is likely to help.
For written instructions, click here to download a printable PDF of the T-Spine Roll

For our downloadable video instruction, click here (video from 2010--updated video is in the works!)
Be sure to post your questions and comments below. We want to provide the best instruction to help you recover from your workouts.

Click here to return to all of the Fundamental SMR Techniques

**All information is provided for educational purposes only. You should consult your doctor before attempting any exercises you read on this page or any page on this website.**

Transverse Abdominus

Transverse Abdominus

Pictured above is the transverse abdominus muscle. It tightens the space between your ribs and hips and flattens your belly. It works with the other core muscles primarily to stabilize the abdominal region and hold your spine steady while you move your body or lift something. You are not as likely to need to stretch and practice SMR on the transverse abdominus as the oblique muscles. However, be sure to check the PSOAS in particular, as it is EXTREMELY LIKELY to have knots that need attention.

The muscles are layered, showing how some of the muscles are covered by the others. All of the muscles are see-through so that you can appreciate the location and size of each muscle relative to the others. You can access detail for all the muscles in the body with our Coach membership.

Click here for a list of all the muscles.

Click your area of interest below. (any inactive links will be active soon)

Muscles that attach to the hip and the spine and/or ribs

  1. Rectus Abdominus
  2. External Abdominal Oblique
  3. Internal Abdominal Oblique
  4. Transverse Abdominus
  5. Latissimus Dorsi
  6. Iliocostalis Lumborum
  7. Longissimus Thoracis
  8. Quadratus Lumborum
  9. Multifidi


Muscles that attach to the thigh bone from either the spine or hip bone above (attached anywhere on the femur)

  1. Psoas
  2. Iliacus
  3. Rectus Femoris
  4. Tensor Fasciae Latae
  5. Sartorius
  6. Gracilis
  7. Adductor Magnus
  8. Adductor Longus
  9. Adductor Brevis
  10. Pectineus
  11. Gluteus Maximus
  12. Gluteus Medius
  13. Gluteus Minimus
  14. Piriformis
  15. Superior Gemellus
  16. Obturator Internus
  17. Inferior Gemellus
  18. Quadratus Femoris
  19. Biceps Femoris - Long Head
  20. Semitendonosis
  21. Semimembranosis


Good luck working out those tight knots.

If you have any questions, please post a comment. We try to respond within 24 hours.

We're here to help you get more out of your training!

Internal Abdominal Oblique

int oblique -- 2016
Internal Oblique - front


int oblique back -- 2016
Internal Oblique - back

Pictured above is the internal oblique muscle. It twists your torso and pulls your ribs toward the top of the back of your hip bone. It works with the other core muscles primarily to stabilize the abdominal region and hold your spine steady while you move your body or lift something. You will likely need to stretch and practice SMR on the internal oblique on the back of your body on the side you most often twists TOWARDS. Additionally, be sure to check the PSOAS in particular, as it is EXTREMELY LIKELY to have knots that need attention.

The muscles are layered, showing how some of the muscles are covered by the others. All of the muscles are see-through so that you can appreciate the location and size of each muscle relative to the others.

Click here for a list of all the muscles.

Click your area of interest below. (any inactive links will be active soon)

Muscles that attach to the hip and the spine and/or ribs

  1. Rectus Abdominus
  2. External Abdominal Oblique
  3. Internal Abdominal Oblique
  4. Transverse Abdominus
  5. Latissimus Dorsi
  6. Iliocostalis Lumborum
  7. Longissimus Thoracis
  8. Quadratus Lumborum
  9. Multifidi


Muscles that attach to the thigh bone from either the spine or hip bone above (attached anywhere on the femur)

  1. Psoas
  2. Iliacus
  3. Rectus Femoris
  4. Tensor Fasciae Latae
  5. Sartorius
  6. Gracilis
  7. Adductor Magnus
  8. Adductor Longus
  9. Adductor Brevis
  10. Pectineus
  11. Gluteus Maximus
  12. Gluteus Medius
  13. Gluteus Minimus
  14. Piriformis
  15. Superior Gemellus
  16. Obturator Internus
  17. Inferior Gemellus
  18. Quadratus Femoris
  19. Biceps Femoris - Long Head
  20. Semitendonosis
  21. Semimembranosis


Good luck working out those tight knots.

If you have any questions, please post a comment. We try to respond within 24 hours.

We're here to help you get more out of your training!

External Abdominal Oblique

ext oblique -- 2016
External Oblique - front


ext oblique back -- 2016
External Oblique - back

Pictured above is the external oblique muscle. It twists your torso and pulls your ribs toward the top of the front of your hip bone. It works with the other core muscles primarily to stabilize the abdominal region and hold your spine steady while you move your body or lift something. You will likely need to stretch and practice SMR on the deeper internal obliques, but occasionally you may need to focus on the external obliques. Be sure to check the PSOAS in particular, as it is EXTREMELY LIKELY to have knots that need attention.

The muscles are layered, showing how some of the muscles are covered by the others. All of the muscles are see-through so that you can appreciate the location and size of each muscle relative to the others.

Click here for a list of all the muscles.

Click your area of interest below. (any inactive links will be active soon)

Muscles that attach to the hip and the spine and/or ribs

  1. Rectus Abdominus
  2. External Abdominal Oblique
  3. Internal Abdominal Oblique
  4. Transverse Abdominus
  5. Latissimus Dorsi
  6. Iliocostalis Lumborum
  7. Longissimus Thoracis
  8. Quadratus Lumborum
  9. Multifidi


Muscles that attach to the thigh bone from either the spine or hip bone above (attached anywhere on the femur)

  1. Psoas
  2. Iliacus
  3. Rectus Femoris
  4. Tensor Fasciae Latae
  5. Sartorius
  6. Gracilis
  7. Adductor Magnus
  8. Adductor Longus
  9. Adductor Brevis
  10. Pectineus
  11. Gluteus Maximus
  12. Gluteus Medius
  13. Gluteus Minimus
  14. Piriformis
  15. Superior Gemellus
  16. Obturator Internus
  17. Inferior Gemellus
  18. Quadratus Femoris
  19. Biceps Femoris - Long Head
  20. Semitendonosis
  21. Semimembranosis


Good luck working out those tight knots.

If you have any questions, please post a comment. We try to respond within 24 hours.

We're here to help you get more out of your training!

Rectus Abdominus

abs -- 2016
Rectus Abdominus (the 6-pack)


Pictured above is the rectus abdominus muscle. It is the "6-pack" muscle that pulls your ribs toward your pelvis. It works with the other core muscles primarily to stabilize the abdominal region and hold your spine steady while you move your body or lift something. You will rarely have muscular knots in this particular muscle. However, you will likely need to stretch and practice SMR on the deeper internal or external obliques or the hip flexor muscles. Be sure to check the PSOAS in particular, as it is EXTREMELY LIKELY to have knots that need attention.

The muscles are layered, showing how some of the muscles are covered by the others. All of the muscles are see-through so that you can appreciate the location and size of each muscle relative to the others.

Click here for a list of all the muscles.

Click your area of interest below. (any inactive links will be active soon)

Muscles that attach to the hip and the spine and/or ribs

  1. Rectus Abdominus
  2. External Abdominal Oblique
  3. Internal Abdominal Oblique
  4. Transverse Abdominus
  5. Latissimus Dorsi
  6. Iliocostalis Lumborum
  7. Longissimus Thoracis
  8. Quadratus Lumborum
  9. Multifidi


Muscles that attach to the thigh bone from either the spine or hip bone above (attached anywhere on the femur)

  1. Psoas
  2. Iliacus
  3. Rectus Femoris
  4. Tensor Fasciae Latae
  5. Sartorius
  6. Gracilis
  7. Adductor Magnus
  8. Adductor Longus
  9. Adductor Brevis
  10. Pectineus
  11. Gluteus Maximus
  12. Gluteus Medius
  13. Gluteus Minimus
  14. Piriformis
  15. Superior Gemellus
  16. Obturator Internus
  17. Inferior Gemellus
  18. Quadratus Femoris
  19. Biceps Femoris - Long Head
  20. Semitendonosis
  21. Semimembranosis


Good luck working out those tight knots.

If you have any questions, please post a comment. We try to respond within 24 hours.

We're here to help you get more out of your training!

Semimembranosis

Semimembranosis

Pictured above is the semimembranosis. It is one of the two internal hamstring muscles that attaches just below the inside of your knee.

The leg on the right has the semimembranosis labeled. The leg on the left displays all the muscles you can address on the back of your thigh in portions of the region of the semimembranosis. All of the muscles in the left leg are see-through so that you can appreciate the location and size of each muscle relative to the others. You can access individual muscle detail for the hamstings and all the other muscles in the body with our Coach membership.

Click here for a list of all the muscles.

Click here to view the hamstrings all together.

Additional hamstring muscles you might be interested in:

  1. Biceps Femoris
  2. Semitendonosis
  3. Semimembranosis


Good luck working out those tight knots.

If you have any questions, please post a comment. We try to respond within 24 hours.

We're here to help you get more out of your training!

Semitendonosis

Semitendonosis

Pictured above is the semitendonosis. It is one of the two internal hamstring muscles that attaches just below the inside of your knee.

The leg on the right has the semitendonosis labeled. The leg on the left displays all the muscles you can address on the back of your thigh in portions of the region of the semitendonosis. All of the muscles in the left leg are see-through so that you can appreciate the location and size of each muscle relative to the others. You can access individual muscle detail for the hamstings and all the other muscles in the body with our Coach membership.

Click here for a list of all the muscles.

Click here to view the hamstrings all together.

Additional hamstring muscles you might be interested in:

  1. Biceps Femoris
  2. Semitendonosis
  3. Semimembranosis


Good luck working out those tight knots.

If you have any questions, please post a comment. We try to respond within 24 hours.

We're here to help you get more out of your training!

Hamstrings

hamstrings -- 2016
Hamstrings

Pictured above are the hamstrings.

The leg on the right has each muscle labeled. The muscles are also layered just like in your thigh, showing how some of the muscles are covered by the others.

The leg on the left has all the muscles you can address on the back of your thigh in addition to the hamstrings. All of the muscles in the left leg are see-through so that you can appreciate the location and size of each muscle relative to the others.

Click here for a list of all the muscles

Additional hamstring muscles you might be interested in:

  1. Biceps Femoris
  2. Semitendonosis
  3. Semimembranosis

Good luck working out those tight knots.

If you have any questions, please post a comment. We try to respond within 24 hours.

We're here to help you get more out of your training!

Biceps Femoris

hamstrings -- 2016
Biceps Femoris

Pictured above is the biceps femoris. You'll notice there are two attachments above the knee that feed into the same tendon below the knee (one on the hip bone, one on the lower portion of the thigh bone).

The leg on the right has the biceps femoris labeled. The leg on the left displays all the muscles you can address on the back of your thigh in portions of the region of the biceps femoris. All of the muscles in the left leg are see-through so that you can appreciate the location and size of each muscle relative to the others.

Click here for a list of all the muscles

Click here to view the hamstrings all together.

Additional hamstring muscles you might be interested in:

  1. Biceps Femoris
  2. Semitendonosis
  3. Semimembranosis


Good luck working out those tight knots.

If you have any questions, please post a comment. We try to respond within 24 hours.

We're here to help you get more out of your training!