Anatomy Trains: Myofascial Meridians for Manual Therapists and Movement Professionals

Front Cover
Inside Front Cover
Half title page
Dedication
Anatomy Trains
Copyright Page
Table Of Contents
Preface
Preface to the First Edition
	References
Acknowledgments
	References
How to Use This Book
Videos
	Acknowledgments
1 Laying the Railbed
	The Philosophy
	The Discovery
	The Hypothesis
	Anatomy Trains and Myofascial Meridians: What’s in a Name?
	History
	References
2 The Rules of the Road
	1. ‘Tracks’ Proceed in a Consistent Direction Without Interruption
		A. Direction
		B. Depth
		C. Intervening Planes
	2. These Tracks Are Tacked Down at Bony ‘Stations’ or Attachments
	3. Tracks Join and Diverge in ‘Switches’ and the Occasional ‘Roundhouse’
	4. ‘Expresses’ and ‘Locals’
	Summary of Rules and Guidelines
	What the Anatomy Trains Is Not
		A Comprehensive Theory of Manipulative Therapy
		A Comprehensive Theory of Muscle Action
		A Comprehensive Theory of Movement
		The Only Way to Parse Body Structure
		A Complete Anatomy Text
		A Scientifically Supported Theory
	How We Present the Lines
	References
3 The Superficial Back Line
	Overview
		Postural Function
		Movement Function
		The Superficial Back Line in Detail
			General Considerations
			From Toes to Heel
				The Plantar Fascia
				A Simple Test
				Heel Spurs
			From Heel to Knee
				Heel as Arrow
				‘Expresses’ And ‘Locals’
				Derailment
				The Distal Hamstrings
			From Knee to Hip
				Separating the Hamstrings
				Rotation at the Knee
			Hip to Sacrum
				Stations
				The Sacrotuberous Ligament
			From Sacrum to Occiput
				Erector Spinae Fascia
				The Suboccipitals
			From Occiput to Supraorbital Ridge
				The Scalp
				The Neurocranium and the SBL
		General Movement Treatment Considerations
			Overall Stretches
			Specific Areas
		Palpation Guide for the SBL
	Discussion 3.1
		The SBL and the Waves of the Spine
	Discussion 3.2
		Is There a Deep Back Line?
	References
4 The Superficial Front Line
	Overview
		Postural Function
		Movement Function
			General Manual Therapy Considerations
		The Superficial Front Line in Detail
			The Shin
			The Anterior Crural Compartment
			The Thigh
			The Quadriceps (Video 6.21)
			Branch Lines
			Derailment
			The Abdomen
			The Rectus Abdominis
			The Chest
			The Sternal Area
			The SFL in the Neck
			The Sternocleidomastoid
			The Scalp
		General Movement Treatment Considerations
		Palpating the Superficial Front Line
	Discussion 4.1
		Balance Between the Superficial Front and the Superficial Back Lines
	Discussion 4.2
		The SFL, the Neck, and the Startle Response
	References
5 The Lateral Line
	Overview
		Postural Function
		Movement Function
			General Manual Therapy Considerations
		The Lateral Line in Detail
			The Lateral Arch
			The Fibularii (Peroneals)
			The Thigh
			The Iliotibial Tract
			The Abductor Muscles and the Greater Trochanter
			Derailment
			The Iliac Crest and Waist
			The Lateral Ribs
			The Neck
			The Lateral Line and the Shoulder
		General Movement Treatment Considerations
			Assessment and Stretches
		Palpating the Lateral Line
	Discussion 5.1
		The Deep Lateral Line
	Discussion 5.2
		The Lateral Line and Fish: Vibration, Swimming, and the Development of Walking
			Sensing Vibration
			Swimming
			Walking
			Lateral vs Sagittal Movement
	Discussion 5.3
		The Lateral Line and Seduction
	Discussion 5.4
		The Summary Lateral ‘X’
	References
6 The Spiral Line
	Overview
		Postural Function
		Movement Function
			General Manual Therapy Considerations
		The Spiral Line in Detail
			The Rhombo-Serratus Muscle
			The Internal and External Oblique Complex
			Roundhouse: the Anterior Superior Iliac Spine
			The Lower Spiral Line
				The ‘Violin’ of the Iliotibial Tract
				The Lower Leg
				The Arches and the ‘Stirrup’
				The Back of the Leg
				The 4th Hamstring
			The Posterior Spiral Line
		General Movement Considerations: Reciprocity
		Palpating the Spiral Line
	Discussion 6.1
		The Upper Spiral Line and Postural Rotations of the Trunk
	Discussion 6.2
		The SPL and Forward Head Posture
	Discussion 6.3
		The Foot Arches and Pelvic Tilt
	Discussion 6.4
		The Lower Spiral Line and Knee Tracking
	Discussion 6.5
		The ‘Heel Foot’ and the Sacroiliac Joint
	Discussion 6.6
		The Spiral Line Midline Crossing at the Sacrum in Walking
	References
7 The Arm Lines
	Overview
		Postural Function
		Movement Function
		The Arm Lines in Detail
			Orientation to the Arm Lines
			The Deep Front Arm Line
			The Pectoralis Minor
			The Biceps Express
			The Lower Arm
			The ‘Thumb Line’
			The Superficial Front Arm Line
				Stretch Assessment for the Superficial and Deep Front Arm Lines
			The Deep Back Arm Line
				A Judo Roll
			The Superficial Back Arm Line
				Stretch Assessment for the Superficial and Deep Back Arm Lines
		Summary Overview 1 – the Bird’s Wing
		Summary Overview 2 – Fascia/Muscle Alternation
	Discussion 7.1
		Scapular Position and Postural Balance
	Discussion 7.2
		Crossovers
	Discussion 7.3
		Arm and Leg Line Comparison
	References
8 The Functional Lines
	Overview
		Postural Function
		Movement Function
		The Functional Lines in Detail
			The Back Functional Line
			The Front Functional Line
			The Ipsilateral Functional Line
		Palpating the Functional Lines
	Discussion 8.1
		Forces in Motion
		Engaging the Lines
	References
9 The Deep Front Line
	Overview
		Postural Function
		Movement Function
			‘A Silken Tent’
		The Deep Front Line in Detail
			The Foot and Leg: the Lowest Common Track
			General Manual Therapy Considerations
				Palpation Guide 1: Deep Posterior Compartment
			The Thigh – Lower Posterior Track
				Palpation Guide 2: Lower Posterior Track
			The Thigh – Lower Anterior Track
				Psoas Express and Locals
				The Thoracolumbar Junction (TLJ)
				Palpation Guide 3: Lower Anterior Track
			A Branch Line: the ‘Tail’ of the Deep Front Line
			The Pelvic Floor
			The Umbilicus
			The Upper Posterior Track
				The Longus Capitis, Longus Colli, and Scalene Muscles
			The Upper Middle Track
			The Upper Anterior Track
	Discussion 9.1
		The Deep Front Line and Stability in the Legs
	Discussion 9.2
		The Middle of the Deep Front Line and Visceral Manipulation
	Discussion 9.3
		The Upper Pole of the DFL and the Ecto-, Meso-, Endodermal Connection
	References
10 Anatomy Trains in Movement
	Applications of Anatomy Trains in Movement
	Classical Sculpture
		Kouros (Fig. 10.2)
		Bronze Zeus (Fig. 10.3)
		Heracles (Fig. 10.4)
		Aphrodite de Melos (Fig. 10.5)
		Discobolus (Fig. 10.6)
	Athletics
		Tennis (Fig. 10.7)
		Basketball (Fig. 10.8)
		Golf (Fig. 10.9)
		Football (Fig. 10.10)
	Musicians
		Cellist (Fig. 10.11)
		Violist (Fig. 10.12)
		Flautist (Fig. 10.13)
		Trumpeter (Fig. 10.14)
	Sitting
		Integrating the Spine in Sitting
	Walking
		Anatomy Trains in Gait, by James Earls
			The Stretch–Shortening Cycle
			Dynamic Anatomy: Walking
			Mapping Dynamic Anatomy
	An ‘Awareness Through Movement’ Lesson
		Rolling Over
			ATM Lesson Lines Analysis
	Developmental Movement Stages
	Some Examples From Asian Somatics
		Yoga Asana
		Shiatsu, Acupressure, or Thumb Work
		Aikido or Judo Roll
		Karate Kick
	Summary
	Anatomy Trains in Motion – Structural Integration Through Movement, by Karin Gurtner
		Training Fascial Properties
			1. Force Transmission
				Roll Down & Forward Fold Leg Stretch
				Lunge & Side Bend
			2. Glide
				Side Stretch & Spiraling
				Sit Back With Curl Up & Arch
			3. Elasticity
				Dynamic Knee Bend & Arm Pendulum
				Dynamic Hip Release & Spiraling
			4. Plasticity
				Melting Deer Pose
				Neck Massage & Nodding
			5. Kinesthesia: Proprioception and Interoception
				Leg Float Up & Pelvic Tilt
				Pelvic Curl
		Slings in Motion Strategy
			Lesson Planning
			Slings in Motion Experienced
	References
11 BodyReading® – Structural Analysis
	Global Postural Assessment Method
		Step 1: a Positional Vocabulary
			Terminology
			Compared to What?
			Definitions: Tilt, Bend, Shift, and Rotation
			Yet More Detail
			Shoulders
			Feet
		Step 2: an Assessment of the Soft Tissues
		Step 3: the Development of an Integrating Story
		Step 4: the Development of a Strategy
		Step 5: Evaluation and Revision of the Strategy
		Virtue
	Postural Analysis of Five ‘Clients’
		Client 1 (Fig. 11.9A–E)
			Step 1
			Step 2
			Step 3
			Step 4
		Client 2 (Fig. 11.10A–E)
			Step 1
			Step 2
			Step 3
			Step 4
		Client 3 (Fig. 11.11A–E)
			Step 1
			Step 2
			Step 3
			Step 4
		Clients 4 and 5 (Figs 11.12A–E and 11.13A–E)
		Client 4 (Fig. 11.12A–E)
			Step 1
			Step 2
			Step 3
			Step 4
		Client 5 (Fig. 11.13A–F)
			Step 1
			Step 2
			Step 3
			Step 4
		Summary
	Subjective Elements
		1. Do the Assessment in Front of a Full-Length Mirror, With Both You and the Client Looking at the Image
		2. Notice Your First Impression
		3. Note a Minimum of Three Positive Aspects First
		4. Describe the Issues You See in the Objective Language Outlined Above
		A. Whole Systems Communicators
		B. Tissue Dominance
		C. Somato-Emotional Orientations
		D. Perceptual Orientation
		E. Internal and External Orientation/Cylinders
		F. Primary Rotation
		G. Pelvic Position
		H. Weight Distribution in the Feet
		I. Balancing Halves
		J. Somatic Maturity
	References
Appendix 1 A Fascial Reader
	Biomechanical Auto-Regulation
		Introduction
		Metamembrane – Why Did We Need Fascia?
	Definitions
		Fascia
		The Fascial System
		Connective Tissue
		The Extracellular Matrix (ECM)
		Collagenous Network
		Ground Substance
		Interstitium
		Myofascia
		Intermuscular Fascia – ‘Fuzz’
		Fascial ‘Layering’
	Fascial Components
		How to Build a Body
		Fascial Elements
			Cells
				Fibroblasts
				Myofibroblasts
				Other Cells
			Fibers
			Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs)
		Discussion
	Fascial Properties
		Genetic Differences in Fascia
		Fluidity
		Viscosity
		Glide
		Elasticity
		Force Transmission
		Plasticity
		Remodeling – Systemic Plasticity
	Fascial Responses to Intervention
		Training Fascia
			Healthy Loading Positively Remodels Fascial Architecture
			Take Advantage of Elasticity
			Take Advantage of Plasticity
			Train the Fascial System More Globally by Using Variable Vectors Over Long Kinetic Chains
			Ligaments Dynamically Stabilize Joints at All Angles
			Fascial Training Takes Gentle Perseverance
			All Clients Are Different
		Manual Therapy and Fascia
	Fascial Kinesthesia
		Proprioception in Fascia
		Interoception
		Nociception – Fascia and Pain
	Fascia as a System
		The Three Holistic Networks
		The Neural Net
		The Fluid Net
		The Fibrous Net
		Spatial Medicine
		Three Holistic Networks: a Summary
			All Three Are Networks
			All Three Are Made From Tubes
			All Three Convey Information
			All Systems Intertwine
			Applying Spatial Medicine
	Embryology/Fascial Morphology/the Double-Bag Theory
		The Formation of the Fascial Net
		Double-Bagging in the Musculoskeletal System
	Fascia and Tensegrity – the Musculoskeletal System as a Tensegrity Structure
	Macrotensegrity – How the Body Manages the Balance Between Tension and Compression
		Tensegrity Structures Are Maximally Efficient
		Tensegrity Structures Are Strain Distributors
		A Spectrum of Tension-Dependent Structures
		Pre-Stress and Elastic Energy Storage
	Biomechanical Auto-Regulation – Microtensegrity: How the Cells Balance Tension and Compression
		The ‘Adhesome’
		Microtensegrity and Optimal Biomechanical Health
		The New Proportion
		The Self-Adjusting Mechanosome
		Biomechanical Auto-Regulation
	References
Appendix 2 A Note on the Meridians of Latitude: The Work of Dr Louis Schultz (1927–2007)
	Reference
Appendix 3 Structural Integration
	The Anatomy Trains ‘Recipe’
		Superficial Sessions
			Session 1
			Session 2
			Session 3
			Session 4
		Core Sessions
			Session 5
			Session 6
			Session 7
			Session 8
		Integration Sessions (Fig. A3.14)
			Session 9
			Session 10
			Session 11
			Session 12
	Principles of Treatment
	Guidelines for Strategy
	Principles of Body and Hand Use
	Goals
	Reference
Appendix 4 Myofascial Meridians and Asian Medicine
	References
Appendix 5 Anatomy Trains in Quadrupeds – Initial Investigations
	Introduction
	Myofascial Meridians in Horses
		Superficial Dorsal Line
		Superficial Ventral Line
		Deep Dorsal Line
		Deep Ventral Line
		Lateral Line
		Functional Lines
		Spiral Line
		Front Limb Lines
	Treating the Lines in Animals
	Conclusion
	Published References for the Lines in Animals
Anatomy Trains Terms
	Anatomy/Physiology
	Abbreviations/Acronyms
	Lines
		Cardinal
		Helical
		Arms
		Core
Bibliography
Index
	A
	B
	C
	D
	E
	F
	G
	H
	I
	J
	K
	L
	M
	N
	O
	P
	Q
	R
	S
	T
	U
	V
	W
	X
	Y
	Z
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