The Homunculus Group

Over the last few weeks i have had docs and therapists ask me about a few of the patients they have sent over - asking me about a muscular chain into the arm that i have addressed to resolve their patient's neck pain without really even addressing the neck directly.
In the cervical BLOG i mentioned the following chain:

- SCM
- subclavius
- Clavicular division of Pec major
- Sternalis
- posterior deltoid (crosses the AC joint)
- upper trapexius (crosses the AC joint)
- abdominal TVA and obliques

there are many chains, way more than Meyers seems to talk about. Here is one that i have consistently addressed. It plays very much into the one above but incorporates the arm linkage.

- biceps long head
- coracobrachialis
- pec minor
- upper divisions (4) of serratus anterior
- anterior deltoid
- clavicular head of pec major
- subclavius
- scalenes
- SCM

again, this is a linkage......each component above (in the order i have listed them) is dependant on the muscle below to be active, have skill, endurance etc......basically to be a functioning anchor for the muscle above to move from with stability and mobility. If any part of the chain is broken then pain is most likely to develop, perhaps in the GH, AC, SC but for sure the neck.

I hope that helps those that were asking !
We will go into a great deal of discussion about this and others at the seminar....this is just a teaser.

Shawn

Dear Shawn, What do you feel is the relationship of the chains you describe to overuse patterns such as upper extremity pronation imbalances from the overuse of computer or similar offenses? It seems this is an endurance problem as well as the body trying to do something it is not naturally geared to do without some payback. I'm thinking people still need to make lifestyle changes to support the work you've described. Any thoughts? THanks, Mary.

It is interesting to note that these muscles are all involved in grasping and flexion of the upper limb. Travell noted the interaction betqween the scalenes and muscles of the forearm. I am sur that the agonisitic and antagonistc stabilizing chains paly a part in the these dysfunctional patterns

Mary

Your keying in on overuse/abuse is correct. As humans in modern day society, we have a tendency to overuse our flexor muscles, and underuse our extensors. This develops as a flexor dominant pattern (much like the loop described by Dr Allen). muscles which facilitate pronation are also flexors.

Our flexor muscles are predominantly cortico spinally driven (ie, we are able to control them via volitional activity) whereas our extensors are predominantly vestibulo spinally driven (from the cerebellum, largely involuntary). There are exceptions, but this is generally how it is. Think about carpal tunnel syndrome and ther flexor abuse which is occuring. Help to balance the extensors, in addition to lifestyle modification, are these individuals are quite happy.

We must establish balance between flexor and extensor activity, and if we tip the scales, do so in favor of our extensors.