Muscular Units & Postural Distortion Flashcards
Inner Unit
Local stabilizers that support spine/pelvis
Outer Unit
Myofascial slings; global muscle systems that stabilize the spine and pelvis; transfers force across trunk
Upper Cross Syndrome
Forward head, raised/internally rotated or rounded/ forward shoulders, exaggerated thoracic curve
Lower Cross Syndrome
Anterior pelvic tilt with lordosis, severe muscular imbalance in lumbo-pelvic region
Winged Scapulae
Lifted and outwardly rotated scaps protrued posteriorly away from ribcage
Lateral Pelvic Tilt
Hiking up on one side of pelvis
Lower Body Distal Extremity Distortions
Ankle over pronation (flat feet), ankle over supination, varus knees (bow legged), valgus knees (knees in, heels in, toes point out)
Lordosis
Excessive lordotic curvature, part of lower cross syndrome
Kyphosis (rounded shoulders)
Excessive thoracic curvature, bowed/rounded back
Reciprocal Inhibition
Neuromuscular regulation of agonist-antagonist contraction patterns to reduce resistance during opposing joint actions; allow for fluid movement
Body’s ability to transfer force depends on
Neural proficiency of muscle activation (motor control)
Efficiency of bones, ligaments & tendons (form closure)
Support of muscles and fascia (force closure)
Muscles of the Inner Unit
TVA, diaphragm, posterior internal oblique, pelvic floor, multifidus
Myofascial Sling Systems
Four major independent movement systems of the body; posterior/anterior oblique sling, deep longitudinal sling, lateral sling
Transverse Abdominus
Intra-abdominal pressure manages spinal flexion/extension; “natural weight belt”
Multifidus
Connects with TVA to prevent undesirable changes in spinal segment positioning
Diaphragm
Respiratory muscle and local stabilizer; top down support
Pelvic Floor
Anchors pelvic girdle in response to bracing & loading
Posterior oblique sling
Lats, glute max & thoracolumbar fascia; force transfer bridge between lumbar spine and pelvic girdle
Issues with Posterior oblique sling affect
power, strength & speed
Anterior oblique sling
Obliques, adductors & rectal abdominal fascia; Cross stabilization across pelvis for sagittal plane locomotion
Deep longitudinal sling
Erector spinae, thoracolumbar fascia, multifidus, sacrotuberous ligament connecting hamstrings, extends to lower extremities; allows for efficient sprinting mechanics due to combine hip/knee extension
Lateral sling
Stabilizes hip loading and provides frontal plane stability; vertical/horizontal bipedal/climbing actions
Chronic causes of distortions and imbalances
Sedentary lifestyle
Poor posture
Repetitive training action
Poor programming
Incorrect technique
Injury related movement compensation
Upper Body Distortions
Forward chin, kyphotic exaggeration, upper cross, dowager’s hump
Lumbo-Pelvic-Hip Distortion
Lower cross, fixed pelvic tilt
Lower Distal Extremity Distortions
Ankle over pronation (flat feet) or supination; varus knees (bow legged) due to external rotation at hip, valgus knees due to internal rotation at hip
Overactive Muscles of Forward Chin
OA: Upper traps, levator scapulae
UA: Reciprocating muscles of scapula
Progression into rounded shoulders
Mid/lower traps become less active, serratus anterior become overactive; rhomboids/pecs activate improperly
Causes of lateral tilt
Repetitive training action, one side dominant posture, ankle injuries
TVA contractions should occur at least
30 ms prior to upper movement
110 ms prior to lower movement
Upper Body Distortion Progression
- Forward chin
- Rounded shoulders
- Upper cross
Upper body distortions tend to occur in
Sagittal plane
Lower body distortions manifest in
Sagittal and frontal plane
Anatomical segments commonly migrate forward in
Upper body distortions
Exaggerated kyphosis (upper cross) can occur in eldery population, presenting as
Dowager’s Hump, coinciding with osteoperotic fractures
Initial changes in upper body distortions begin at the
Cervical spine
