Reflexogenic Relationship: the Muscle Joint Battle Part 1
Erik Dalton, Ph.D.
Article as seen in Massage Today Magazine April 2006
- Reflexogenic – Producing or increasing reflex actions
between muscles and joints.
- Myoskeletal – All soft tissues forming from the mesoderm
including muscles, ligaments, joint capsules, discs, fascia
and bones.
 |
One
distinguishing feature of the Myoskeletal Alignment
Technique® is the inclusion of deep-tissue routines for
unlocking motion-restricted joints. For decades, massage
therapists have searched for practical ways to identify
and release fibrotic joint capsules, spinal ligaments and
fixated facets while staying within their scope of
practice. In the early 90s, a holistic soft-tissue
approach emerged to help therapists accurately identify
and correct pain-generating reflexogenic muscle/joint
conditions. Surprisingly, the "key" that unlocked the door to this
muscle-joint mystery initially was revealed in a
presentation to the American Back Association by the
legendary osteopath Dr. Philip Greenman when he stated, "In
the presence of vertebral dysfunction, palpable
fourth-layer muscle hypertonicity will always be found."
The fourth-layer transversospinalis muscles include the
rotatores, multifidus, levator costalis and
intertransversarii (Fig. 1). These
phylogenetically old laminar-groove muscles are the first
structures neurologically stressed by joint blockage, and
often are the very same tissues that prolong the
dysfunction. |
Working with the
understanding contained in Greenman's statement, the massage
therapist can maximize therapeutic outcomes by:
- palpating and releasing
fourth-layer muscle fibrosis;
- testing for underlying joint
dysfunction (facets not opening or closing); and
- restoring range of motion
using sustained directional pressure on spinal-groove
muscles and bones as the client flexes and extends through
the fixated area.
|
 |
Under normal
conditions, the superior vertebra of each joint
smoothly flexes, extends, side bends and rotates
on its inferior neighbor. Too often, however,
hypertonically short spinal muscles bind one
side of a joint altering its axis of rotation
and center of gravity (Fig. 2).
When therapists continually palpate lumpy,
stringy or wiry fourth-layer intrinsic muscles
session after session, underlying joint
dysfunction is present and must be addressed.
According to John
Mennell, MD, all of the body's synovial joints
must have at least 1/8 inch of movement not
controlled by voluntary muscle contraction. The
term "joint play" was coined to describe this
essential principle of normal, pain free,
non-restricted vertebral movement. Deep tissue myoskeletal techniques focus on restoring joint
play and stopping the reflexogenic battle
between muscles and joints.
This article
offers an overview of current theories and
myoskeletal strategies for preventing and
correcting "catch 22" pain/spasm/pain cycles
perpetuated by abnormal muscle/joint reflex
actions. |
| Fourth-Layer Spinal Muscles
Working through the bulky
paravertebral muscles and fascia, bodyworkers' sensitive
fingers frequently encounter small, hard and sometimes
tender knots in the deep transversospinalis muscles of the
erector spinae group. These highly innervated tissues
located in the medial groove adjacent to the spinous
processes contribute to rotation, sidebending and
extension in each spinal segment. According to Greenman,
"Fourth-layer muscles are dense in spindles and function
more as proprioceptors than prime movers. When
dysfunctional, they alter joint mechanics locally and
alter the behavior of the larger muscles of the erector
spinae group." Therefore, muscles such as the multifidus
and rotatores (and suboccipitals) are perceived as dynamic ligaments designed to stabilize the spine.
Acting as supporting, information-gathering ligaments,
they allow the brain to coordinate more gross movements of
the vertebral column via longer-lever muscles that have
greater leverage and mechanical advantage. |
 |
|
 |
The power
generated by short fourth-layer spinal muscles is easily
underestimated. These highly innervated little critters
readily pack enough punch to lock spinal joints open or
closed with their strong torsional forces (Fig. 3).
Holding a telephone with the shoulder to one ear is a
perfect example in which prolonged cervicothoracic
sidebending unilaterally compresses joint surfaces,
creating reflex transversospinalis and erector spinae
spasm. This predictable neurological firing pattern
represents the beginning of many functional scoliotic
cases seen in the clinic. However, specially designed
deep-tissue massage techniques can be very effective in
releasing hypertonic myofascia and recovering joint play
to fixated facets. Regrettably, some of the tightest
transversospinalis muscles are buried deep to more
superficial groove muscles such as the multifidus and
spinalis, making it difficult and sometimes impossible to
mobilize them with fingers and thumbs (Fig. 4).
So, how can massage therapists access and release short,
concealed spinal muscles that bind joints and perpetuate
aberrant pain and posture problems? In part two of the "Reflexogenic
Relationship" series, I will demonstrate innovative soft
tissue techniques for creating joint-play in fixated
facets. |
|
