The head, neck, cervical, and thoracic regions of the body are extremely susceptible to injury and are a common area of complaint in the massage therapy profession. Injuries to these areas can develop from both chronic conditions and acute trauma. Although traumatic mechanisms of injury, such as automobile accidents, falls, or sports-related activities, are more common, chronic conditions such as repetitive motion injuries and postural misalignments can be just as debilitating. In order to understand how to treat dysfunction in these areas, it is necessary to first understand the anatomy of the region and how it interacts with the rest of the body in a normal capacity.

This chapter reviews the skeletal anatomy of the head and neck and discusses the unique bumps, projections, holes, hills, and valleys of the skeletal structures, all of which perform various functions. In addition, this chapter covers:

• Specific bony landmarks that identify important areas for palpation

• Soft tissue structures, including the muscles of the region

• The movements of the region

• Manual muscle tests for the head and neck

• Dermatome and trigger-point referral patterns for the involved muscles