Dance Anatomy & Kinesiology

154 Dance Anatomy and Kinesiology

reserved for more advanced dancers with adequate

skill and flexibility so that the weight of the body

can be borne primarily on one shoulder and not the

neck. Lastly, injury to this area may relate to lifting

and overhead use of the arms, and it may involve

muscles that stabilize and move the scapulae (chap-

ter 7) as well as muscles that stabilize and move the

head and upper spine.

Treatment will vary according to the structures

involved and the severity of the injury but often

includes anti-inflammatory medications and modali-

ties such as ice massage and mechanical massage

(Micheli, 1988). Gentle stretching and movements

to maintain range and, later, addition of strengthen-

ing exercises (often beginning with isometric and

progressing to isotonic) for the upper back exten-

sors and muscles of the shoulder region are often

recommended. However, it is important to realize

that persistent upper back pain in adolescents may be

indicative of Scheuermann’s disease, and a prompt

medical evaluation is essential.

Summary

The vertebral column houses the vulnerable spinal

cord and provides sites for attachments of muscles

and ligaments. Its central location makes it par-

ticularly important for movement and vulnerable to

injury. In an upright position, the vertebral column

supports and allows movements of the head, helps

support the upper extremity, and provides an impor-

tant link to the lower extremity via the pelvic girdle.

The vertebral column itself consists of 33 vertebrae

that are linked (between C2 and S1) by an interver-

tebral disc between their bodies and gliding joints

between their articular processes. Although move-

ment is limited at each joint, together the joints

allow relatively large ranges of motion of the spine

as a whole, termed flexion, extension, lateral flexion,

and rotation. The vertebrae and discs are spanned by

numerous strong ligaments that provide stability, and

posteriorly by three layers of spinal extensors—the

deep posterior spinal group, semispinalis, and erec-

tor spinae—which can produce spinal extension,

lateral flexion, and rotation. Anteriorly, three of the

abdominal muscle groups—rectus abdominis, exter-

nal obliques, and internal obliques—are capable of

producing spinal flexion, lateral flexion, and rotation

indirectly through their attachments on the pelvis

and thorax. Laterally, the quadratus lumborum gives

rise to pure lateral flexion of the spine. In addition

to their role in movement, the muscles of the spine

are important for posture and provide important

stabilization and protection for the spine.

When one analyzes movement of the spine, it is

important to take into account the effect of gravity.

In the erect position, gravity quickly becomes the

primary motive force for many movements, and the

muscles with opposite actions to that movement are

used eccentrically to control that movement and

concentrically to return the trunk back to an upright

position. When the position is not erect, the relation-

ship to gravity will again influence what muscles pro-

duce and control desired movements. This concept

is important for designing effective strengthening

exercises for the spine as well as understanding

some of the risks inherent in dance and other move-

ments. Unfortunately, back injury is quite prevalent

in dance. However, the dancer can markedly reduce

injury risk through strengthening the abdominal

muscles and spinal extensors, maintaining adequate

range of motion in the spine, and utilizing careful

technique while still achieving movement aesthetics

to minimize inherent risks.