What Are the Lumbar Multifidi and Transversus Abdominus?
The lumbar multifidi are the deepest layer of muscles of the the back. They attach from the vertebral arches to the spinous processes. Each multifidi connects 1-3 vertebrae, (the vertebrae are the bones of the spine) controlling movement between the vertebrae. The transversus abdominus is the deepest of the abdominal muscles and is also a stabilizer of the spine. Support by this muscle is considered to be the most important of the abdominal muscle and has also been found to be in a weakened state in those who have chronic back pain or problems. Its normal action along with the action of the the lumbar multifidus muscles function together to form a deep internal corset that acts to stabilize the spine during movement. This pattern of protection is disrupted in patients with low back pain. It is uncertain why these muscles become dysfunctional after a low back injury, but specific exercises focusing on the contraction of these two muscles together will improve the protective stabilizing
