How the Body Moves - Part II
by Dennis Gibbons, LMT
In the first installment we talked about how to build strength and how muscle fibers move in order to create movement patterns. In this installment on How the Body Moves we are going to discuss the curvatures of the body and its rotational points.
The human body is composed of a series of curvatures that enable movement while resisting the compressive forces of gravity. In these curvatures are rotational points or points that allow movement from side to side.
The picture below shows the normal curves of the spine, but there are more. The curvatures that curve inward towards the center of the body are: the cervical (neck), lumbar (low back), behind the knee joint, and the medial or inside arch of the foot. The curvatures that curve outward from the center of the body are: the occipital bone (back of the head), thoracic or upper portion of the back, the sacrum or tailbone, the Patella or knee cap, and lastly the lateral or outside edge of the foot. These curvatures are meant to work in conjunction with each other and when this balance is disturbed the tensegrity of movement is disrupted.
The human body is composed of a series of curvatures that enable movement while resisting the compressive forces of gravity. In these curvatures are rotational points or points that allow movement from side to side.
The picture below shows the normal curves of the spine, but there are more. The curvatures that curve inward towards the center of the body are: the cervical (neck), lumbar (low back), behind the knee joint, and the medial or inside arch of the foot. The curvatures that curve outward from the center of the body are: the occipital bone (back of the head), thoracic or upper portion of the back, the sacrum or tailbone, the Patella or knee cap, and lastly the lateral or outside edge of the foot. These curvatures are meant to work in conjunction with each other and when this balance is disturbed the tensegrity of movement is disrupted.
| The rotational points of the body start at the very top the cervical (neck) spine. The first vertebra is called the Atlas, because this is the structure that holds the skull. This bony structure sits on top of the second vertebra, the Axis. This is the first rotational point. The second rotational point is the 3rd and 4th cervical vertebrae; it is at this point that the neck rotates. The next key rotational point is the 5th and 6th thoracic vertebrae; it is the central point of back rotation. The next key rotational point is the 11th and 12th vertebrae; it is at this point where many low back issues emanate. The 12th vertebra is unique because the upper part rotates with the 11th vertebra and the lower part articulates with the first lumbar. The uniqueness of this is that the lumbar section of the spine does not rotate; it can only flex and extend. The next point of rotation is at the 5th lumbar and first sacral joint. This joint allows the spinal to rotate while the pelvis remains the stable structure it is meant to be. This is probably the most common site for disc problems and is often related to the sciatic nerve. Other points of rotation are the hip, knee and ankle joints.
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recruitment process are the major joints, such as: the shoulder, hip, knee and ankle joints. This is where the exclusivity of Muscle Release Therapy, MRTh® and Fundamental Movement Pilates℠ best serves the clients of Chagrin Valley Wellness Center.
Muscle Release Therapy, MRTh® addresses the irregular pull that is being placed on the bones that make up the joint and balances it with the structures that are reactive to the movement process. As movement is visualized by the brain, the brain sets into motion a series of contractions to the muscles it has determined will generate the movement. as the muscle or muscles of dynamics start the movement process other muscles in the body start the engagement process to stabilize posture, these are known as reactive muscles. These reactive muscles help the body move in an organized fashion. If these muscles do not fire at the appropriate time there is often referred pain in t he areas that are involved in the movement process. An example of this would be in the shoulder joint. One of the most common injuries is to the Rotator Cuff. This is a group of muscles that cover the shoulder joint and attach to the bony structures of the upper arm bone and the shoulder blade or what is often referred to as the wing bone. These muscles work directly with the Triceps or the muscles on the back of the arm. These two groups of muscles work directly with the vertebral column and help balance the direct movement or pull on the bony structures of both the shoulder and associated vertebrae. This type of interactive complexity is difficult to put back into balance. Unless all the muscles of the Rotator Cuff are addressed separately and together, free movement cannot be restored. This is just one example of how complex the relationships of muscle and bone in the body can be. It takes a lot of study and skill to be able to restore proper tensegrity.
An important side note to this imbalance at the shoulder joint is the inordinate amount of stress this places at the most common site of disc injury, the disc between the last vertebra, the 5th lumbar and the top of the sacrum, S1. When the shoulder inhibits the incremental rotational ability of the spine, the spine will rotate as a unit. It will recruit the 5th lumbar and S1and overstress this region, causing a premature wearing of the disc. This unusual stress will expedite the process of wearing and/or bulging which can cause the lower extremity to experience numbness and tingling sensations.
In our Fundamental Movement Pilates℠ classes we are able to isolate these structures to help strengthen them. Without isolation and strengthening of the soft tissue and the ability of the joint to move freely and in proper order, the brain will bypass this movement and recruit other areas which eventually will cause pain and restriction of movement.
It is this recruitment process that will cause the spiral effect of pain. The spiral effect will normally start with an injury, and yes we have gone back to birth (to determine the cause of the injury) that will cause the body to create compensation or an internal balancing. The circle effect begins when individuals will try to “wait out” the injury. When the symptoms seemingly go away, these same individuals think the injury has gone away. As the circle curves around, becomes complete a tinge of the old injury often reappears for a short time and once again it goes away. The circle starts anew but on a smaller diameter and the cycle will go on until one day there is no other muscle or fiber to recruit.
It is at this point that we often start seeing someone and as we unpeel the proverbial onion, in reverse, we eventually get to the actual point of trauma. What happens next is what will be discussed next month.
If you have further questions or comments, please feel free to contact a therapist or certified Pilates instructor at Chagrin Valley Wellness Center. Our phone number is 216.364.0152 or 1.877.349.0120 and the email address is appointments@chagrinvalleywellness.com.
Enjoy the spectacular colors of an Ohio fall and may the many blessings come to one and all.
Dennis
Muscle Release Therapy, MRTh® addresses the irregular pull that is being placed on the bones that make up the joint and balances it with the structures that are reactive to the movement process. As movement is visualized by the brain, the brain sets into motion a series of contractions to the muscles it has determined will generate the movement. as the muscle or muscles of dynamics start the movement process other muscles in the body start the engagement process to stabilize posture, these are known as reactive muscles. These reactive muscles help the body move in an organized fashion. If these muscles do not fire at the appropriate time there is often referred pain in t he areas that are involved in the movement process. An example of this would be in the shoulder joint. One of the most common injuries is to the Rotator Cuff. This is a group of muscles that cover the shoulder joint and attach to the bony structures of the upper arm bone and the shoulder blade or what is often referred to as the wing bone. These muscles work directly with the Triceps or the muscles on the back of the arm. These two groups of muscles work directly with the vertebral column and help balance the direct movement or pull on the bony structures of both the shoulder and associated vertebrae. This type of interactive complexity is difficult to put back into balance. Unless all the muscles of the Rotator Cuff are addressed separately and together, free movement cannot be restored. This is just one example of how complex the relationships of muscle and bone in the body can be. It takes a lot of study and skill to be able to restore proper tensegrity.
An important side note to this imbalance at the shoulder joint is the inordinate amount of stress this places at the most common site of disc injury, the disc between the last vertebra, the 5th lumbar and the top of the sacrum, S1. When the shoulder inhibits the incremental rotational ability of the spine, the spine will rotate as a unit. It will recruit the 5th lumbar and S1and overstress this region, causing a premature wearing of the disc. This unusual stress will expedite the process of wearing and/or bulging which can cause the lower extremity to experience numbness and tingling sensations.
In our Fundamental Movement Pilates℠ classes we are able to isolate these structures to help strengthen them. Without isolation and strengthening of the soft tissue and the ability of the joint to move freely and in proper order, the brain will bypass this movement and recruit other areas which eventually will cause pain and restriction of movement.
It is this recruitment process that will cause the spiral effect of pain. The spiral effect will normally start with an injury, and yes we have gone back to birth (to determine the cause of the injury) that will cause the body to create compensation or an internal balancing. The circle effect begins when individuals will try to “wait out” the injury. When the symptoms seemingly go away, these same individuals think the injury has gone away. As the circle curves around, becomes complete a tinge of the old injury often reappears for a short time and once again it goes away. The circle starts anew but on a smaller diameter and the cycle will go on until one day there is no other muscle or fiber to recruit.
It is at this point that we often start seeing someone and as we unpeel the proverbial onion, in reverse, we eventually get to the actual point of trauma. What happens next is what will be discussed next month.
If you have further questions or comments, please feel free to contact a therapist or certified Pilates instructor at Chagrin Valley Wellness Center. Our phone number is 216.364.0152 or 1.877.349.0120 and the email address is appointments@chagrinvalleywellness.com.
Enjoy the spectacular colors of an Ohio fall and may the many blessings come to one and all.
Dennis
