Muscles of the Posterior Body: A Full Body Massage Lesson

• Anatomy and physiology
• Further Education (Key Stage 5)

Swedish body massage

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to provide a partial body massage and name/identify the main muscles of the posterior body.

What do you already know about the muscles of the posterior body?

Subject Specific Terminology

1. Trapezius
2. Rhomboids
3. Latissimus dorsi
4. Erector spinae
5. Gluteus maximus
6. Hamstrings
7. Gastrocnemius
8. Soleus

Slide 3: Muscles of the Upper Back

The upper back muscles include the trapezius, rhomboids, and latissimus dorsi.

Slide 4: Hinge Question

Which muscle is responsible for retracting the scapula?
A) Trapezius
B) Rhomboids
C) Latissimus dorsi

Slide 5: Muscles of the Lower Back

The lower back muscles include the erector spinae.  These muscles help keep the spine straight and are found either side of the spinal column.

Slide 6: Hinge Question

Which muscle helps maintain the natural curve of the spine?
A) Trapezius
B) Rhomboids
C) Erector spinae

Slide 7: Muscles of the Buttocks

The buttocks muscles include the gluteus maximus.

Slide 8: Hinge Question

Which muscle is the largest in the buttocks?
A) Gluteus maximus
B) Rhomboids
C) Latissimus dorsi

Slide 9: Muscles of the Back of the Thigh

The back of the thigh muscles are known as the hamstrings.

Biceps femoris, Semimembranosus, semitendinosus.

Slide 10: Hinge Question

Which muscles are responsible for knee flexion?
A) Trapezius
B) Rhomboids
C) Hamstrings

Slide 11: Muscles of the Calf

The main muscles of the calf are the gastrocnemius and soleus.

Slide 12: Hinge Question

Which muscle is commonly known as the 'calf muscle'?
A) Gastrocnemius
B) Rhomboids
C) Latissimus dorsi

Slide 13: Review

Let's quickly review the main muscles of the posterior body:
- Trapezius
- Rhomboids
- Latissimus dorsi
- Erector spinae
- Gluteus maximus
- Hamstrings
- Gastrocnemius
- Soleus

Which muscle is responsible for plantar flexion of the foot?

1. Trapezius
2. Hamstrings
3. Rhomboids
4. Gastrocnemius

Which muscle is the largest in the body?

1. Hamstrings
2. Gastrocnemius
3. Soleus
4. Gluteus maximus

Which muscle is responsible for extending the spine?

1. Latissimus dorsi
2. Erector spinae
3. Trapezius
4. Rhomboids

Slide 15: Activity

In pairs,  you will identify and label the main posterior muscles on your peers. Be ready to share your answers.

Slide 18: Practical Application

In pairs, practice performing a  body massage, focusing on the posterior muscles. Provide feedback and support to each other.

Slide 19: Closure

Reflect on your learning experience today. What challenges did you face? What new insights did you gain? How can you continue to improve your massage skills?

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.