The thoracolumbar fascia or lumbodorsal fascia or thoracodorsal fascia is a deep fascia at the back of the posterior thoracic and abdominal region. It goes up and is continuous as nuchal fascia on the back of the neck. It wraps around deep muscles at the back. It is made up of three layers: anterior, middle and posterior. The anterior layer is the thinnest and the posterior layer is the thickest. Psoas major muscle lies in the front of the anterior layer; Quadraus lumborum muscle is between the anterior and middle layers; the erector spinae muscles and transversospinales muscles are between the middle and posterior layers; Latissimus dorsi and serratus posterior inferior muscles lie at the back of the posterior layer.
Thoracolumbar fascia injury or overuse can cause inflammation of the fascia leading to pain and tightness at low back, shoulder and hip, difficulty of breathing, difficulty of walking, muscle weakness etc.
Acupuncture can release the facia effectively to release back pain.
