9. Trapezius
Origin: Medial 1/3 of the superior nuchal line of the occiput, external occipital protuberance, nuchal ligament, and spinous process of C7-T12 vertebrae
Insertion: Lateral 1/3 of clavicle, acromion, and the scapular spine
Action:
- Superior fibers elevate scapula
- Middle fibers retract scapula
- Inferior fibers depress scapula
- Superior and inferior fibers work together to upwardly rotate the scapula
Innervation: Spinal Accessory Nerve (Cranial nerve XI) and C3/4)
Needling
Position: Prone or supine
Palpation: Grab the upper fibers of trapezius and pick it up
Technique:
-
- Prone: needle in a superior anterior direction
- Supine: needle in a superior posterior direction
Caution: High – apex of the lung comes above the clavicle
Video 9.10 Needling upper fibers of trapezius, original video by Nadine Crocker, CC BY-NC 4.0.
Video 9.11 Needling trapezius supine, original video by Nadine Crocker, CC BY-NC 4.0.
