9. Splenius Cervicis

Origin: SP of T3-T6

Insertion: TVP of C1-C3

Action:

  • Bilaterally extends the head and neck
  • Unilaterally side flexes and rotates to the same side

Innervation: Posterior rami of lower cervical nerves

Splenius cervicis.
Figure 7.19 Splenius cervicis, by Henry Gray and Henry Vandyke Carter (Public domain).

Needling

Position: Prone

Palpation: Palpate the SP of T3-6

Technique: Needle perpendicular to the SP of T3-6 within 1 finger breath laterally using the lamina groove as a bony backdrop

Caution: Moderate – lung field is lateral to lamina groove

Needling splenius capitis/cervicis at origin.
Figure 7.20 Needling splenius capitis/cervicis at origin, original image by Nadine Crocker, CC BY-NC 4.0.

Video 7.12 Needling splenius cervicis, original video by Nadine Crocker, CC BY-NC 4.0.

These muscles are not needled

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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