Muscular
When I have clients gently lay supine with a soft ball (i.e., squash ball) on the levator scapulae, it often replicates the referral pattern up along the same side of the neck/ear. I do not think that self-myofascial release (SMR) fixes the underlying problem. However, I do think it helps create temporary relief, without the…
It could be argued that one first ask the purpose of an exercise. If we wish to teach individuals exercise, which enhances their ability to perform activities of daily living, for example, it would seem reasonable to implement those exercises, which acknowledges the aforementioned outcome goal. Pushing objects, dynamically or statically, could be seen as…
In Janda’s upper crossed syndrome (UCS), we will notice relationship; there is a crossedrelationship between the upper anterior and posterior regions of the body. The pectoralis major and minor are facilitated on the anterior side, as well as the upper trapezius and levator scapulae on the posterior side. Conversely, the deep cervical flexors of the…
Motor learning and motor control theory have been topics espoused by other medical and exercise professionals which I studied from (i.e., Mike Boyle, Brett Jones, Gray Cook, Stuart McGill, Charlie Weingroff) since approximately 2009. Initially, such concepts were foreign. However as time passed (i.e., as well as studying said concepts through ATSU), I slowly began…
As a kinesiologist, I do not determine cause of pain. However, I can comfortably work around painful regions. The shoulder mobility screen within the FMS in interesting; it quantifies range of motion (ROM), however, it does not seem to determine stability. Therefore, an individual can score high (i.e., “3” left shoulder and “3” right shoulder) yet still have poorly…
Movement assessments are intended to capture multiple muscle groups and joint actions, in addition to assessing the coordination of prime movers, synergists, and stabilizers (Page, Lardner, & Frank, 2010). They are also designed to break down the body into smaller “sections” by way of multiple, and smaller, movement patterns. Such an approach provides an opportunity…
The order that I would take on improving UCS would be correction of breathing technique first, because it is simple, and it has the capacity for far reaching effects; proper deep breathing plays a key role in posture and spinal stabilization (Perri & Halford, 2004). The authors also noted that conditions like UCS and others…
Non-invasive interventions exist to treat excessive kyphotic curves of the thoracic vertebrae (Katzman, Wanek, Shepherd, & Sellmeyer, 2010). However, these interventions prove futile in other cases. What then, causes this apparent loss in efficacy? I would like to review two predominant forms of kyphosis, their differences and implications, as well as their effects upon program…
The back and knee joints are regions often susceptible to injury. The hip musculature, when working dysfunctionally, is associated with back pain (McGill, 2010). The hips are also implicated with poorly functioning and painful knees (Bolga, Malone, Umberger, & Uhl, 2008). The deadlift, when performed correctly, is an exercise that has been shown to recruit…
Vladimir Janda was a physician who, in the late 1970s, found trends in joint actions and muscle imbalances within the human body. Among these trends was a phenomenon he termed lower crossed syndrome (Page, Frank & Lardner, 2014). Janda observed that there were unique behaviors of muscles and joints, which created aberrant and unusual motions…