Whitney Lowe The sacroiliac (SI) joint is one of the most biomechanically complex joints in the body. Yet there is actually very little movement in the joint because of its need for stability. The SI joints are tightly bound with a dense webbing of ligaments on both the anterior and posterior sides. The primary stabilizing ligaments are … Read more
Everyone learned about muscle spindles in their basic training, but they are such a fundamentally important part of the neurological system that reviewing them is worthwhile. During muscle contraction, the central nervous system (CNS) sends signals to make muscles contract. It is the muscle spindles that convey more specificity to the CNS, essentially providing more … Read more
Specialized sensory cells in the nervous system give the brain information about the outside world. Some of the most important receptors are sensitive to sensations such as heat, pain, or pressure. Another very important category of sensory receptors are the proprioceptors, which are specialized cells that give the brain information about movement and the body’s … Read more
Muscles have a primary role in creating and limiting movement in the body. They are also the major focus of our work in massage therapy, with many injuries caused by improper loads on the muscular system. There are key facets of analyzing a muscle’s mechanical load that are essential in both assessment and treatment strategies. … Read more
The majority of ankle injuries involve sprains to the supporting ligaments of the ankle. Most occur to the ligaments on the lateral side of the ankle and are generally referred to as inversion ankle sprains because it is excessive inversion that causes the sprain. There are two other ankle regions that are also susceptible to ligamentous sprain: … Read more
The shoulder (glenohumeral) joint has the greatest range of motion of any joint in the body. Yet, the joint’s bony architecture provides very little stabilizing support. Consequently, the majority of shoulder stability comes from soft tissues that both guide and limit movement at the shoulder. This joints enhanced mobility leaves it vulnerable to problems, in … Read more
An exploration of torque and rotary motion in biomechanics and kinesiology, and how we apply these principles effectively in our practice. Torque is an important biomechanical concept, but also one of the most frequently misunderstood. Routinely I hear massage therapists talk about the adverse effects of torque on some soft-tissue structure. I can even remember … Read more
Tightness and trigger points in the cervical muscles, and especially the sub-occipital muscles, often cause muscle tension headaches, so these are vital muscles to address in many of our massage treatments. There are a number of ways to access the cervical muscles, but there are also certain essential precautions when treating the neck. One of … Read more
The piriformis muscle is one of the six deep rotators of the hip and lies deep to the gluteal muscles (Figure 1). Even though it is small, the muscle plays a vital role in hip mechanics. Figure 1 shows the piriformis muscle in relation to the surrounding pelvis. Note that the muscle attaches to the … Read more
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