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Neck pain is a prevalent musculoskeletal complaint, reaching as many as 30%-50% of the adult population (Cagnie, Struyf, Cools, Castelein, Danneels, & O’Leary, 2014). Additionally, 50%-85% of those who do experience neck pain continue to report discomfort following 1-5 years after the onset (Leaver, Maher, McAuley, Jull, Latimer, & Refshauge, 2013). Thus, understanding the nature…
Janda noted a unique relationship between the skeletal system, muscular system, and the central nervous system (CNS); movement has a direct relationship to, and is a product of, interactions of the aforementioned systems (Page, Lardner, & Frank, 2010). Furthermore, distal joints and related movement patterns are inexorably affected by proximal joints and associated motor control….
Physical function may be thought of as goal-directed movement, considered the link between physical actions, colloquially defined as movement, and the environment in which it takes place (Cech & Martin, 2012). Such characteristics are essential, as they permit individuals to survive, adapt, and learn within the environment (Cech & Martin, 2012). If movement is inhibited…
Physical function may be thought of as goal-directed movement, considered the link between physical actions, colloquially defined as movement, and the environment in which it takes place (Cech & Martin, 2012). Such characteristics are essential, as they permit individuals to survive, adapt, and learn within the environment (Cech & Martin, 2012). If movement is inhibited…
Extended periods of seated positions (i.e., desk-based work) can cause deleterious changes in posture over time. Such changes are characterized by a flexed thoracic spine, facilitated pectoralis major and minor muscles on the anterior side, in addition to facilitated upper trapezius and levator scapulae muscles on the posterior side. Conversely, the deep cervical flexors of…
When looking at a lumbar spine fusion surgery, does the spine change movement patterns above and below the site of the fusion thereafter? Such a question is relevant since moving spinal segments (i.e., immediately above and below a fixation) beyond their natural ranges (i.e., flexion, extension, rotation) might have deleterious long-term effects. The following sections will…
Tensegrity can be thought of as an aggregate of compressive and tensile forces, which induce stability (Levin, 2002). Tensegrity not only exists at the cellular level; research has supported a link of the cell to the extracellular matrix, thereby affecting the behavior of other cells it is connected with. Moreover, observations have also suggested a…
Muscles, bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and human movement do not exist in individualized vacuums; they share a complex and interdependent relationship to one another as a means of achieving biological homeostasis, and ultimately, survival. One can visualize such co-dependence and function through the tensegrity model. Tensegrity, at its root, states that structures as small as…
Obesity and overweight are widespread, and considered a global health crisis (Foss & Dyrstad, 2011). The aforementioned conditions also increase the risk of high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, stroke, and premature mortality (Foss & Dyrstad, 2011). Moreover, obesity contributes to approximately 120,000 preventable deaths every year in North America (Thorogood…
Obesity and overweight are prevalent, and considered an epidemic in the Western world. Not only are the conditions widespread, overweight and obesity are also associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality (Meckling & Sherfey, 2007). Inactivity, in addition to poor nutrition, contributes to the aforementioned conditions, and is estimated that over 57% of Canadians…