8. Splenius Capitis

Origin: SP of C7-T3 and nuchal ligament (lower half C4-6)

Insertion: Lateral occiput and mastoid process of temporal bone

Action:

  • Bilaterally extends the head and neck
  • Unilaterally side flexes and rotates the head and neck ipsilateral

Innervation: Posterior ramus of C3/C4

Splenius capitis. 
Figure 7.16 Splenius capitis, adapted by Uwe Gille from the original image by Henry Gray and Henry Vandyke Carter (Public domain).

Needling

Position: Prone

Palpation: Palpate occiput, mastoid process and SP of C7-T3

Technique:

    1. Needle directly on the lateral aspect of the occiput and mastoid process using these bones as bony backdrops
    2. Needle within 1 finger breath of C7-T3 laterally in the lamina groove

Caution: Moderate

    • Avoid needling inferior to occiput and mastoid process (danger of needling vertebral artery) and more than 1 finger breath lateral to spinus process (lung field)
Needling splenius capitis/cervicis at origin.
Figure 7.17 Needling splenius capitis/cervicis at origin, original image by Nadine Crocker, CC BY-NC 4.0.
Needling of splenius capitis at insertion.
Figure 7.18 Needling of splenius capitis at insertion, original image by Nadine Crocker, CC BY-NC 4.0.

Video 7.11 Needling splenius capitis, original video by Nadine Crocker, CC BY-NC 4.0.

License

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Sinew Channel Needling Copyright © 2026 by Nadine Crocker is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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