5. The Deep Front Arm Line

The Deep Front Arm Line

 

 

 

 

 

The Arm Lines are, posturally speaking, a bit different from the other myofascial meridians.  The Deep Front Arm Line is a stabilizing line; in poses like the yoga plank, it manages side to side movement of the upper body.  In the open movement of the arm, the DFAL controls the angle of the hand, generally through the thumb, as well as the thumb's grip.

 

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Muscles of the DFAL:

Pectoralis minor

Biceps brachii

Thenar muscles

 

 

Connective tissue (ligaments, tendons, fascial sheets, etc.) of the DFAL:

Clavipectoral fascia

Radial periosteum - anterior border

Radial collateral ligmanets

 

Bony Landmarks of the DFAL:

3rd, 4th, 5th ribs
Coracoid process
Radial tuberosity
Styloid process of radius
Scaphoid, trapezium
Outside of thumb

Common postural deviations within/caused from restriction of the DFAL:
Restriction in the upper rib movement with inhalation
Trouble flexing the arm and lifting from the shoulder to reach upwards
Anterior tilt of the scapula on the ribs - rounded shoulders

Stretches for the DFAL:

Hands clasped behind your back, shoulders down

 

Doorway stretches for both pectorals major and minor



 

Next week, I'll be covering the Superficial Front Arm Line!

 

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Take care of yourselves and stretch those arms! :)

4. The Spiral Line

The Spiral Line

 

 

The Spiral Line wraps around the body in two helices, right and left, connecting each side of the skull across the upper back top the opposite shoulder, then around to the front of the ribs to cross again at the navel, attaching at the hips.  From there, the SPL passes along the anterolateral (anterior lateral) thigh and across the shin to the arch of the foot, where it then wraps under the foot and runs up along the posterior lateral side of the leg to the ischium and into the erector spine myofascia, ending just about where it started, back at the occipital ridge of the skull.

Postural function of the SPL is to, like most of the myofascial meridians, maintain balance.  The SPL, however, maintains balance across ALL planes.  It mediates rotations in the body and works to steady the truck and leg to keep it from folding into rotational collapse.

Muscles of the SPL:
Splenius capitis and cervicis
Rhomboids major/minor
Serratus anterior

External oblique
Internal oblique
Tensor fasciae latae
Tibialis anterior

Fibularis longs
Bicep memories
Erector spine

(this picture shows half of the spiral line muscles, just so you can see the spiral pattern from one side)

Connective Tissue (ligmanets, tendons, fascial sheets, etc.) of the SPL:
Abdominal aponeurosis
Linea alba
Iliotibial tract
Sacrotuberous ligament
Sacrolumbar fascia

Bony Landmarks that serve as anchors for the SPL:
Occipital ridge
Mastoid process atlas/axis transverse processes
Lower cervical/Upper thoracic spinous processes
Medial border of the Sapulpa
Lateral ribs
Illiac crest/ASIS
Lateral tibia condyle
1st metatarsal base
Fibular head
Ischial tuberosity
Sacrum
Occipital ridge

Common postural deviations: 
Imbalance between left and right
Twisting of the shoulders or hips
Lateral shifts in the body

Stretches for the SPL:

Seated Twist

 

Triangle Pose



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Next week, I'll start going over the four arm lines, starting with the Deep Front Arm Line!

 

Be good to yourselves! :)

3. The Lateral Line

     Ok! As promised, I'm going over the Lateral Line today.  This particular myofascial meridian assists in (you guessed it!) lateral flexion of the torso, as well as abduction at the hips and eversion of the foot.  It also functions posturally to balance the front and back, and bilaterally to balance left and right.

If you've ever had a health practitioner tell you your hips were off or one hip was high than the other, you can bet this line has some restriction somewhere.

I have several clients (and myself included) who struggle with low back pain due to tightness through the rib, lumbar, and hip segments of this line.

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The Lateral Line

Muscles within the Lateral Line:

Splenius capitis

Sternocleidomastoid

External + interal intercostals

Lateral abdominal obliques

The Abductor muscle group:

• Gluteus maximus
• Gluteus medius
• Gluteus minimus
• Tensor fasciae latae

The Fibulari muscle group:

• Peroneus longus
• Peroneus brevis
• Peroneus tertius

Connective tissue (tendons, ligaments, fascial sheets) that make up the remainder of the Lateral Line:

Iliotibial tract (IT band)

Anterior ligament of the head of the fibula

Bony landmarks that serve as anchors for the Lateral Line:

Occitpital ridge

Mastoid process

1st + 2nd ribs

Illiac crest

ASIS (Anterior superior iliac spine)

PSIS (Posterior superior iliac spine)

Lateral tibial condyle

Fibular head

1st + 5th metatarsal bases

 

Common postural deviations associated with the Lateral Line:

Ankle pronation/supination

Limited range of motion (particularly in dorsiflexion) of the ankle

Lumbar compression

Shoulder restriction due to over involvement with head stability (I.e. forward head posture)

 

Stretches for the LL:

 

Half moon pose



 

Triangle pose (+modified half moon pose)

 Gate pose

 

So, try these out if you have low back pain, stiffness in the ankles/shoulders, and as always:

 

Be good to yourselves. :)