Movement in a Balanced Posture
by Jolene Thomas, LMT
The goal of therapy at Chagrin Valley Wellness Center is to create a structure that is in balance so a more comfortable movement is able to take place. The human body is made up of a combination of curvatures and diaphragms. These are produced while we are developing in our mother’s womb as our form matures. It’s these diaphragms and curvatures that the structure nurtures and protects.
At Chagrin Valley Wellness Center, in order to accomplish our goal for therapy, the following formula is followed:
* Function equals movement
* Movement reveals posture
* Posture determines movement
How does this tie in with the curvatures and diaphragms? The first needed movement that we as humans must do is breathing. This function is definitely hindered when our posture or structure is out of balance. During the creation of The Gibbons Method of Soft Tissue Analysis and Assessment© the putting together of corresponding muscles enhanced the release of the connective and soft tissue.
In breathing the body must incorporate the use of the five diaphragms, yes FIVE. They are: Sphenoid; Oral/Dural; Mid-Abdominal; Pelvic Floor; Transverse Arch of the foot. In doing so the body uses the following muscles on inspiration, the Scalene Anterior and Medial, External Oblique and the Hamstring group. On respiration, or exhalation the following muscles are incorporated, the Posterior Scalene, Internal Oblique, and the Adductor Magnus. These are examples of how the entire body is incorporated in the most basic of movement.
The curvatures of the body number nine, starting with the back of the head and finishing in the feet, and are used in the undulation or propulsion of the body’s movement. In any type of movement the coordination of the curvatures is important for efficiency. There are two groupings, the concave curvatures which are the ones that curve inward like the neck and low back. The second group is the convex curvatures which include the area between the shoulder blades and the tailbone. When just one of the curvatures in either group is out of balance, one of the other curvatures in that group is compromised to compensate for movement.
The incorporation of Muscle Release Therapy, MRTh® and Functional Movement Pilates℠ classes address these two areas. During a Muscle Release Therapy, MRTh® the Licensed Massage Therapist evaluates your connective and soft tissue to determine the type of barrier that is limiting proper balance in your posture and how that affects your comfortable movement. The Pilates Movements taught at Chagrin Valley Wellness Center focus on your breathing, incorporating the curvatures in a proper manner to insure the most efficient pattern of movement. Using this format old behavior patterns or habits are revealed and overcome to improve the quality of how your body functions.
“The body’s range of motion depends upon the posture. Movement can be compromised depending upon the posture. The body will only allow movement that is capable of happening.”
Jolene Thomas, LMT
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