Upper body to Base-Line connection - the trapezius muscles

human skeleton, off-center view from the back showing the trapezius muscles from back of the head to midback, extending out towards each shoulder a diamond shaped muscle that curves up the neck. Also showing baseline: the rectus abdominis muscles at the front of the abdomen and the pelvic floor muscles spanning the pelvic canal.

The trapezius muscles connect the upper body to the core support provided by the Base-Line muscles.

The whole of both trapezius muscles should be free to fully extend in all directions, without pain or tension, guiding the head and arms through a full range of natural movement and aligning the upper body.

your trapezius muscles

the trapezius muscles, connecting the base-line muscles to the head and arms. Trapezius muscles in an outline of the upper body showing the skull and shoulder blades.

The left and right trapezius muscles form the most superficial muscle layer from the back of the head to mid-back.

They are big, thin muscles, curving down the neck and extending out towards each shoulder.

Multiple connective tissue structures connect these muscles to the bones of the spine, shoulder and skull.

the left trapezius muscle seen from the side. The trapezius muscles are thin. Sculpted down the back of the neck, the trapezius curves and the front part of the muscle extends forward to attach to the collar bone. Also showing the midline supraspinous ligament extending from the distal trapezius.

Look at the pictures, feel for the bony attachments and appreciate the shape and extent of your trapezius muscles.

What condition are they in?

There is a large potential for movement in the upper body but this area can also carry a lot of restrictions that reduce the range of movement possible, causing tension, pain and imbalance.

The trapezius muscles attach to the base of skull.

Feel for the midline bump on the back of your head and then move your fingers towards your ears to feel the ridge where the trapezius muscles attach.

The midline bump is known as the external occipital protuberance one of the 5 midline markers for alignment.

Showing the back of the skull with the attachment area of the trapezii shown. The external occipital protuberance is located midline with a ridge of bone either side. This is where the trapezius muscles attach.

view of the upper body front off center. Showing the trapezius muscles and selected bones. The cervical vertebrae are not shown, allowing the nuchal ligament in the back of the neck to be seen. The left and right trapezius muscles merge with the nuchal ligament and these muscles are key to feeling the relative position of the nuchal ligament and its state of alignment. The left and right clavicle and scapula are seen, the trapezii attaching towards the shoulder.

The left and right trapezius muscles merge midline with the nuchal ligament in the back of the neck.

The trapezius muscles attach to the collar bone and shoulder blade of each arm.

Feel for all the bony bits where the trapezius attaches near the shoulder. A pencil-like bone at the front (the collar bone/clavicle) and lumps of bone at the shoulder and a ridge of bone at the back (parts of the shoulder blade/scapula).

The left and right trapezius muscles meet midline merging with the supraspinous ligament from the base of the neck to level with the bottom ribs.

view from behind of the bones of the upper body, Showing the right trapezius. The left trapezius is not shown but where it attaches to the scapula and clavicle are marked.

the left and right trapezius muscles seen from the back. Each muscle divided into three areas: The lower trapezius muscles originate from the spine level with the lowest ribs, extending upwards and outwards towards the shoulders, triangle shaped, pointed at the base. The middle trapezius fibres run from midline towards the shoulders, strips of muscle tissue almost horizontal across the top of the upper back. The upper trapezius muscles from shoulders to base of the skull, almost like triangles again. The whole of both trapezii form a kite shape. with the crossframe consisting of the nuchal and supraspinous ligaments midline upright and the middle trapezius the horizontal bars. There is an ellipse of connective tissue between shoulder blades, in the middle where the trapezius muscles meet, connective tissue connecting the upper trapezius to the skull and connective tissue attaching to the clavicle and scapula.

Each trapezius can be split into 3 sections: 2 triangles (upper and lower trapezius) and a horizontal strip from midline to the shoulders (middle trapezius).

Connective tissue connects the trapezius muscles to the skull, shoulder blades and collar bones.

Between the shoulder blades there is also connective tissue, forming a diamond/ellipse shape.

Movement of the upper body should begin from the lower trapezius, extending upwards and out towards to the arms and head.

Think extension and expansion, like wings spreading wide.

The trapezius muscles - a blanket of muscle that should be smooth and wrinkle-free.

movement of the upper body should start from the lower trapezius.

3. Connect Your Base-Line

To Your Upper Body.

your trapezius muscles

OPTIMISING THE USE OF YOUR MUSCLES = BETTER HEALTH.