.Embodied Flow
aims to deliver its practitioners a
sense of agency as they discover
their own innate capacity
to step into a life that is in flow.EmbodiedFlow.com
.Embodied Flow
aims to deliver its practitioners a
sense of agency as they discover
their own innate capacity
to step into a life that is in flow.EmbodiedFlow.com
C
E
R
V
IC
A
L
FA
CE
TJ
OINTS
UL
M
B
A
R
FA
CE
T
JOI
NTS
T
H
O
RA
CIC
FACETJOI
NT
SC T
T
T
T
T
T
T
TTT T T L L L L LC
C
C
C
C
CRIDE THE WAVE
Key structures of the
vertebral column explain how
your neck and back move.
Intervertebral discs and articulating facet
joints, shown above (in blue circles) separate each
moveable spinal segment of the vertebral column (except C1/C2). The discs create
space between the vertebral bodies, allowing range of motion. The facet joints are
bony connections between each vertebral body that guide direction of movement.
They become more vertically oriented as you travel down the vertebral column.
Generally, the more vertically oriented the facet joint is, the less range of motion
you have in side-bending and rotation. Facet joints have a specific orientation in
each region of the vertebral column:- CERVICAL: Almost horizontal. This orientation allows for a high degree of
mobility, which is why the neck is capable of flexion, extension, side-bending,
and rotation—as independent and coupled movements. - THORACIC: Almost vertical. This orientation allows for a high degree of rota-
tion (limited by the rib cage), as well as flexion and some extension. - LUMBAR: Vertical. This orientation allows for a high degree of flexion and
extension, with limited side-bending and rotation.
Neighbouring upper and lower facet joints differ in orientation at the spine’s three
transitional segments, creating greater directional movement capability—and
more potential for injury: C7/T1, T12/L1, L5/S1.yj77_70-73 anatomy_310.indd 71 19/7/19 2:53 pmEmbodiedFlow.com
C
E
R
V
IC
A
L
FA
CE
TJ
OINTS
UL
M
B
A
R
FA
CE
T
JOI
NTS
T
H
O
RA
CIC
FACETJOI
NT
SC T
T
T
T
T
T
T
TTT T T L L L L LC
C
C
C
C
CRIDE THE WAVE
Key structures of the
vertebral column explain how
your neck and back move.
Intervertebral discs and articulating facet
joints, shown above (in blue circles) separate each
moveable spinal segment of the vertebral column (except C1/C2). The discs create
space between the vertebral bodies, allowing range of motion. The facet joints are
bony connections between each vertebral body that guide direction of movement.
They become more vertically oriented as you travel down the vertebral column.
Generally, the more vertically oriented the facet joint is, the less range of motion
you have in side-bending and rotation. Facet joints have a specific orientation in
each region of the vertebral column:
- CERVICAL: Almost horizontal. This orientation allows for a high degree of
mobility, which is why the neck is capable of flexion, extension, side-bending,
and rotation—as independent and coupled movements. - THORACIC: Almost vertical. This orientation allows for a high degree of rota-
tion (limited by the rib cage), as well as flexion and some extension. - LUMBAR: Vertical. This orientation allows for a high degree of flexion and
extension, with limited side-bending and rotation.
Neighbouring upper and lower facet joints differ in orientation at the spine’s three
transitional segments, creating greater directional movement capability—and
more potential for injury: C7/T1, T12/L1, L5/S1.