The suboccipital muscles are comprised of eight muscles total (one set of four on either side). The suboccipital muscles are not very well known to people, but after today’s post, you should get a better idea of their significance.
The rectus capitus posterior major originates from the axis (C2) spinous process, and then inserts into the lateral part of the inferior nuchal line of the occiput. This muscle’s primary action is to extend the head and rotate it to the same side. It is innervated by the suboccipital (C1) nerve.
The rectus capitus posterior minor begins at the tubercle of the atlas (C1) posterior arch and inserts into the medial aspect of the nuchal line on the occiput, near where the rectus capitus posterior major inserts. This muscle extends the head only, and is innervated by suboccipital nerve as well.
The obliquus capitus superior originates at the atlas transverse process and inserts into the occiput somewhere between the superior and inferior nuchal lines. This muscle extends the head as well, but also bends the head to the side. Once again, this muscle is innervated by the suboccipital nerve.
The obliquus capitus inferior begins at the apex of the axis spinous process and attaches to the atlas transverse process. This muscle rotates the atlas, as well as turns the head to the same side. It, too, is innervated by the suboccipital nerve.
You can see by looking at the picture that these muscles form a triangle over the upper cervical spine.
The upper cervical spine has been shown to be the most concentrated area of mechano- receptors (joint position receptors) in the body. The suboccipital muscles have been also been shown to have a very dense number of muscle spindle cells and GTOs (Golgi tendon organs). Muscle spindles measure the rate of change in muscle length, monitoring joint position as it relates to the muscle. GTOs measure muscle tension.
When someone develops an upper cervical subluxation, a misalignment of atlas or axis can cause a very substantial alteration in the tone of these suboccipital muscles. It can lead to a tightening on one side or both, which often times can be the cause of tension headaches or cervicogenic headaches.
If you are reading this for the first time and haven’t made an appointment with an Upper Cervical Chiropractor, find one near you and make an appointment immediately. The last thing you want is an upper cervical subluxation interfering with the nerve signals sent to these muscles.
With the highest concentration of receptors in the body found in the upper cervical spine and surrounding muscles, you can’t afford to to be subluxated there.
REFERENCE
1. Erikson, K. Upper Cervical Subluxation Complex. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2003.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Do you believe that that the alignment of the Atlas or Axis will eventually heal my
Trigeminal Neuralgia? I had more than a dozen of alignments but I still have pain off- and-on as much as I had before. What is the chance that this condition can improve. I want to know the truth because these alignment are expensive.
Thank you for your sincere answer.
Yolanda Newsome
I wish I could tell you that proper alignment of the upper cervical spine will heal your TN, but I can’t do that. What I can tell you is that proper alignment in that area will restore the proper communication between the nervous system and the body and that is how your body will begin to heal. for some people it happens right away, others it takes longer. With only about 10% of your nerves being sensory (meaning you feel pain), your body might be healing really well, but just not gotten to that part yet. It’s hard to say. I would stick with it and just know it took your body a while to get in this condition and it will take a while for it to get better, not as long, but it will take time.