Long Fascial Relationships (Anglund DSA) Flashcards
“Anatomy Trains” Long fascial lines
Force in the body is transmitted throughout the entire system. The concept of tensegrity helps us to understand how these forces may be distributed. That being said, it is important to contemplate the more direct fascial connections as they are largely responsible for this direction of force.
These lines of force may act in myriad ways, they may interact and overlap with each other. These are in no way a compete model of force distribution in the body.
Superficial Back Line
The Superficial Back Line transmits force from the foot, through the posterior leg and thigh to the sacrum. From here, force is transmitted through the lumbars, thoracics and ribs, cervicals, and all the way to the cranium.
Superficial Back Line- dysfunction
Dysfunction anywhere along this line may alter the force transfer throughout this line. So, a dysfunction in the foot may register as symptoms in the head (or anywhere along this line).
Of Note: The sacrotuberous ligament transmits force between the hamstrings and the sacrum (and SI ligament). This is one of the many reasons why sacrum and lower extremity dysfunctions tend to occur together.
What might tight hamstrings do to the Seated Flexion test?
Superficial Front Line
Alterations (weakness or tension) of the Superficial Front Line is usually reciprocally related to alterations (shortening, or weakness) of the Superficial Back Line, and vice versa.
In the lower extremity, tension in the hamstrings is often evidence of weakness in the quadriceps.
Superficial Front LIne compensations
Upper and lower divisions of this line may attempt to compensate for each other. Shortening of this line in the lower extremity (tension in the quadriceps leading to anterior pelvic rotation) may lead to lengthening (reflexive inhibition) of the abdominal musculature.
Head-forward posture is likely due to increased tension and shortening of the Superficial Front Line
Deep front line
The Deep Front Line, as the name suggests, is an interior transmitter of force. This line incorporates most of what is considered the “core.”
Disorders of the planar flexors of the foot may engage this line. In addition, dysfunctions of the interosseous membrane (tib-fib) may also put tension on this line.
Clearly, adductor dysfunction will impact the lower extremity and pubis, but it may also impact the pelvis, lumbars, ribs and cervicals.
Deep front line connections
The iliopsoas has direct connection to the posterior division of the thoraco-abdominal (respiratory) diaphragm. These deep myofascial structures are in direct contact with pelvic and abdominal viscera. Quadratus lumborum also plays a role in this interchange.
The diaphragm also has connections to the transversus thoracis, and through the strap muscles, to the hyoid and the tongue and jaw. This gives direct impact on the thoracic viscera.
Lateral Line
Translational and side-bending forces may be transmitted strongly through the Lateral Line.
Respiratory rib dysfunctions mediated through the intercostals may be transmitted to the pelvis and lower extremity.
Scoliosis (and other lateral dysfunctions) can put increased tension on the Lateral Line.
In addition, pelvic rotations may strongly alter the efficiency of this line.
Spiral Line
The Spiral Line (as the name suggests) distributes forces medial-lateral in addition to superior-inferior.
Over-pronation in the foot may lead to ipsilateral anterior innominate.
Continuing up the chain, we may find exhalation ribs on the contralateral side (obliques), laterally rotated scapular angle (serratus anterior), and OA dysfunction on either side.
Spiral Line dysfunction
More locally, over-pronation may contribute to IT-band tension through the peroneus and tibialis anterior attachments.
The tibialis anterior and peroneus longus create a “stirrup” under the distal tarsals as they attach on the medial cuneiform and first metatarsal base.
