Equine Massage: A Practical Guide (39 page)

10.7 Back and Rib Cage Section (Deep and Superficial Muscle Layers)

with Associated Stress Point Location

(A) Deep Muscle Layer

(B) Superficial Muscle Layer

[1] SP 20 longissimus dorsi muscle

[6] SP 22 external abdominal

[2] SP 21 iliocostalis dorsi muscle

oblique muscle (hip attachment)

[3] SP 24 internal abdominal

[7] SP 23 external abdominal

oblique muscle

oblique muscle (rib cage

[4] SP 25 transverse abdominal mus-

attachment)

cle (pubic attachment)

[5] SP 26 intercostal muscles

Body Parts and Their Stress Points

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#20 Stress Point—The Longissimus

Dorsi Muscle (Forward Attachment)

Myology:
The longissimus dorsi muscle (located in the deep layer) runs along the spine from the withers to the point of the croup. It attaches along all the vertebrae (both thoracic and lumbar) and the ribs.The longissimus dorsi muscle extends along the back and loins and also causes lateral flexion to the side of the unilateral contraction.

Signs and Symptoms:
When this muscle is tight, the horse shows soreness over the back when pressure such as saddling or grooming is put on it. During movement, the animal is very uncomfortable and will lose coordinated power.

Treatment:
When you apply pressure to SP 20, the horse will respond with skin twitching along the back muscles. If the stress point is very tender, the horse will flinch or try to pull away from the pressure. This is a sign of excessive tightness and stress; if you feel heat, suspect inflammation.

Stress point 20 will be felt as a rigid knot in front of the withers. It feels very tender to the horse. The whole muscle might show tightness along its course, depending on the severity of the stress.

#21 Stress Point—The Iliocostalis

Dorsi Muscle

Myology:
The iliocostalis dorsi muscle (located in the deep layer) runs from the withers, attaches on the ribs, and continues backwards to the point of the hip. Its contraction causes lateral flexion of the trunk and assists in the extension of the back.

Signs and Symptoms:
When this muscle is tight and pressure is put on it, the horse shows soreness. The horse will show restriction in lateral bending.

Treatment:
When you apply pressure to SP 21, the horse will respond with skin twitching along the back muscles. If the stress point is very tender, the horse will flinch or try to pull away from the pressure. This is a sign of excessive tightness and stress; if you feel heat, suspect inflammation.

Stress point 21 will be felt as a rigid knot against the last rib. It is a very sensitive area. The whole muscle might show tightness along its course, depending on the severity of the stress.

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#22 Stress Point—The External

Abdominal Oblique Muscle (Hip

Attachment)

Myology:
The external abdominal oblique muscle (located in the superficial layer) attaches from the anterior aspect of the hip and runs downwards to anchor on the ribs.Together with the internal oblique muscle, it aids in the contraction of the abdomen and assists in lateral bending.

Signs and Symptoms:
When this muscle is tight, the horse shows restricted lateral movement.

Treatment:
When you apply pressure to SP 22, the horse will respond with skin twitching along the abdomen or by relaxing his hind leg. If the stress point is very tender, the horse will flinch or try to pull away from the pressure and eventually raise his hind leg.This is a sign of excessive tightness and stress; if you feel heat, suspect inflammation.

Stress point 22 will be felt as a small knot along the edge of the hip bone. It is a very sensitive area.The whole muscle might show tightness along its course, depending on the severity of the stress.

#23 Stress Point—The External

Abdominal Oblique Muscle (Rib Cage

Attachment)

Myology:
The external abdominal oblique muscle (located in the superficial layer) attaches to the anterior aspect of the hip and runs downwards to anchor on the ribs. Together with the internal oblique muscle it aids in the contraction of the abdomen and assists in lateral bending.

Signs and Symptoms:
When this muscle is tight, the horse shows general discomfort and restricted lateral movement.

Treatment:
When you apply pressure to SP 23, the horse will respond with skin twitching along the abdomen. If the stress point is very tender, the horse will flinch or try to pull away from the pressure. This is a sign of excessive tightness and stress; if you feel heat, suspect inflammation.

Stress point 23 will be felt as a tight, thick muscle knot at the area where the tenth rib attaches to the sternum.

Body Parts and Their Stress Points

217

#24 Stress Point—The Internal

Abdominal Oblique Muscle

Myology:
The internal abdominal oblique muscle (located in the deep layer) attaches to the anterior aspect of the hip and runs downwards to anchor on the ribs. With the external abdominal oblique muscle, it aids in the contraction of the abdomen and assists in lateral bending.

Signs and Symptoms:
When this muscle is tight, the horse shows restricted lateral movement.

Treatment:
When you apply pressure to SP 24, the horse will respond with skin twitching along the abdomen or by relaxing his hind leg. If the stress point is very tender, the horse will flinch; he might stamp his hind foot on the same side or try to pull away from the pressure.This is a sign of excessive tightness and stress; if you feel heat, suspect inflammation.

Stress point 24 will be felt as a tight, thickened ridge in the middle of the muscle, a couple of inches below the origin attachment. It is a very sensitive area. The whole muscle might show tightness along its course, depending on the severity of the stress.

#25 Stress Point—The Transverse

Abdominal Muscle (Pubic Attachment)

Myology:
The transverse abdominal muscle (located in the deep layer) attaches to the lumbar spine and runs downwards and backwards to anchor on the hip bones. Its contraction aids in the contraction of the abdomen and assists in lateral bending.

Signs and Symptoms:
When this muscle is tight, the horse shows general discomfort and a shorter stride in the hind legs.

Treatment:
When you apply pressure to SP 25, the horse will respond with skin twitching along the abdomen or by letting go of his hind leg. If the stress point is very tender, the horse will flinch; he might stamp his hind foot on the same side or try to pull away from the pressure. This is a sign of excessive tightness and stress; if you feel heat, suspect inflammation.

Stress point 25 will be felt as a tight, thickened muscle a few inches in front of the point of the hip. It is a very sensitive area.

The whole muscle might show tightness along its course, depending on the severity of the stress.

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#26 Stress Point—The Intercostal

Muscles

Myology:
The intercostal muscles (located in the deep layer) attach from rib to rib along the entire rib cage.Their contraction causes the thorax to compress during exhalation.

Signs and Symptoms:
When these muscles are tight, the horse’s breathing is shallow due to the lack of expansion of the rib cage.

Treatment:
When you apply pressure to SP 26, the horse will respond with skin twitching along the thorax and abdomen. If the stress point is very tender, the horse will flinch or try to pull away from the pressure.This is a sign of excessive tightness and stress; if you feel heat, suspect inflammation.

Stress point 26 will be felt as a tight muscle knot between the tenth and eleventh ribs. This is a very sensitive area. The whole intercostal muscle might show tightness all around the rib cage, depending on the severity of the stress.

The Hindquarters and Hind

Legs

The conformation of the hindquarters and hind legs will determine the horse’s performance ability in a given sport. There are breed-specific variations in the natural angles formed by the joints of the hind legs.

The more angle at the joints (sloping pelvis, angular stifle and hock), the greater the predisposition for sprinting or jumping.The straighter the joint (nearly horizontal pelvis, straight stifle and hock), the greater the predisposition for a long stride; for example, the stride of a racehorse (the longer the muscle, the more ground covered with each stride).

The bony areas of the hindquarters that can be palpated are: the point of croup (ilium); point of buttock (ischium), point of hip (femur), and stifle joint (femur, tibia, and patella).

The bulky muscles of the hindquarters anchor on the lumbar spine and the pelvis; they run downward and attach to the femur and tibia of the hind leg.The muscles moving the femur (thigh) are the gluteus accessories (SP 38), the iliacus and psoas muscles (SP 37), the biceps femoris (SP 28), the gluteus maximus (SP 27), and the tensor fasciae latae (SP 36).The muscles that move the tibia (gaskin) are the gastrocnemius (SP 30), the belly of biceps femoris (SP 29), the semitendinosus (SP 34), and the semimembranosus (SP 35). Follow each training session with a thorough stretching

Body Parts and Their Stress Points

219

10.8 Hindquarter Section (Deep and Superficial Muscle Layers) with

Associated Stress Point Location

(A) Deep Muscle Layer

[8]

SP 33 adductor muscles

[1] SP 30 gastrocnemius muscle

[9]

SP 34 semitendinosus

[2] SP 31 vastus lateralis muscle

muscle

[3] SP 32 rectus femoris muscle

[10] SP 35 semimembranosus

[4] SP 37 iliacus muscle

muscle

[11] SP 36 tensor fasciae latae

(B) Superficial Muscle Layer

muscle

[5] SP 27 junction of gluteus

[12] SP 38 superficial gluteus

muscles and longissimus

muscle

dorsi muscle

[13] SP 39 long digital extensor

[6] SP 28 biceps femoris muscle

muscles

[7] SP 29 belly of biceps femoris

[14] SP 40 long digital flexor

muscle

muscles

exercise of the hind legs. Thoroughly massage the hindquarters, emphasizing drainage, and check all main stress points.

#27 Stress Point—Junction of the

Gluteus Muscles and the Longissimus

Dorsi Muscles

Myology:
The gluteus muscle (located in the superficial layer) anchors on the lumbar spine, runs downwards, and attaches on the femur.The longissimus dorsi muscle (located in the deep layer) runs along the spine from the withers to the point of croup, attaching onto the thoracic vertebrae and the ribs and inserting on the lumbar vertebrae.These muscles are involved in forward motion (protraction).

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Signs and Symptoms:
When these muscles are tight, the horse keeps his legs bent (flexed) when he is at rest. If the animal sinks down or sags when his back is touched, this is a sure sign of a

“cold back.” During movement, the horse shows lameness in the hind legs and loss of power on protraction.

Treatment:
When you apply pressure to SP 27, the horse will respond with skin twitching along the back muscles and the hindquarters; he might flex the stifle on the same side. If the stress point is very tender, the horse will flinch or try to pull away from the pressure. This is a sign of excessive tightness and stress; if you feel heat, suspect inflammation.

Stress point 27 will be felt as a rigid knot a couple of inches away from the spine at the level of the point of croup. It is a very sensitive area. Both muscles might show tightness along their course, depending on the severity of the stress.

#28 Stress Point—The Biceps Femoris

Muscle

Myology:
The biceps femoris muscle (located in the superficial layer) anchors on the lumbar spine and runs downwards to attach on the tibia (gaskin). It flexes the stifle and hock joints in protraction, and extends and abducts the limb in retraction. It is the major component of the hamstring group of muscles.

Signs and Symptoms:
When this muscle is tight, the horse will hold his leg loose (flexed) or will try to stretch the leg by tucking under the hind end. During movement, the horse shows lameness and shortened protraction.

Treatment:
When you apply pressure to SP 28, the horse will respond with skin twitching along the hindquarters and he might flex the stifle on the same side. If the stress point is very tender, the horse will flinch or try to pull away from the pressure.This is a sign of excessive tightness and stress; if you feel heat, suspect inflammation.